Iran arrive at the 2026 World Cup as one of Asia's most consistent qualifiers, built around a veteran spine. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei has named a 26-man squad led up front by Mehdi Taremi of Olympiacos and Alireza Jahanbakhsh, with the notable omission of long-time striker Sardar Azmoun. Team Melli land in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, and open on 15 June at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.
Team Melli's strength is experience. Several of these players have featured at multiple World Cups, and the attack runs through two forwards who have made their name in Europe. These are the names that will define Iran's 2026 campaign.
Iran's leading forward and focal point. The 33-year-old now plays his club football for Olympiacos in Greece after a spell at Porto. A goalscorer and creator in equal measure, Taremi is the player opponents in Group G will plan around.
A seasoned attacker with experience in the Premier League and the Eredivisie, Jahanbakhsh brings goals, set-piece delivery and leadership. Alongside Taremi he heads an attack that leans on proven names rather than untested youth.
One of the most-capped players in Team Melli history and a long-serving leader, the left-sided defender Hajsafi anchors the back line with the calm of multiple World Cup campaigns behind him.
A familiar figure between the posts for Iran across recent tournaments, Beiranvand brings command of his area and shot-stopping pedigree to a side that will often have to defend deep against stronger opponents.
Every squad announcement has its headline, and for Iran in 2026 it is the absence of one of the country's most prolific scorers.
One of Iran's all-time leading scorers, with more than 50 international goals, Azmoun does not make the 26. He had been dropped from the setup earlier in 2026, with Iranian media linking the decision to a social media post that officials took issue with. Whatever the reasoning, his absence reshapes the attacking options around Taremi.
Here is the full squad named by head coach Amir Ghalenoei: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, ten midfielders and five forwards. It is a group defined by experience, with several players carrying World Cup minutes from previous tournaments.
Iran reached the 2026 World Cup the hard way and early, confirming their place in March 2025 by winning their Asian qualifying group.
Iran topped Group A in the third round of AFC (Asian) qualifying, sealing their World Cup berth ahead of schedule. It continued a record that few nations in any confederation can match: Iran are among Asia's most consistent World Cup qualifiers, reaching the finals repeatedly across recent cycles.
That consistency in qualifying has not yet translated into knockout football on the world stage. Iran have so far never progressed beyond the group phase of a World Cup, which frames the 2026 edition as another attempt to break that ceiling, this time with the expanded 48-team format offering a wider route out of the groups.
Iran were drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. FIFA has confirmed all three of Iran's group-stage matches will be played in the United States. Iran's full group schedule:
Belgium are the seeded heavyweights of the group and the clear favourites to top it. Egypt, led by their own talisman in Mohamed Salah, are a strong second seed, while New Zealand are the side Iran will most fancy taking points from in the opener. With the expanded format sending the top two from each group plus the best third-placed teams into the knockouts, a positive start against New Zealand on 15 June could be decisive.
For the complete bracket and where Iran's group sits in the wider draw, see our seeded teams guide, and explore the rivals on our England squad page for a contrasting look at one of Europe's contenders.
Iran are one of 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Where Iran's Group G with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand sits among the seeded teams and tournament favourites.
See the groups ›Tuchel's confirmed 26 for 2026: a contrasting look at one of Europe's title contenders.
Read the squad ›The top players going to the 2026 World Cup, from Group G's Belgium to the wider field.
View the list ›All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to Iran.
Open the schedule ›WorldCuply.com is the premium .com for 2026 World Cup content, coverage and commerce. The listing price rises $100 every day until kickoff on 11 June 2026. Every day you wait, the ask goes up.
This page draws on the following reporting and official references for Iran's 2026 World Cup squad, qualification and fixtures: