Iran National Team Accelerates Preparations for 2026 World Cup
Hafsa Adil
Iran's national football team is ramping up preparations for the 2026 World Cup, including closed training sessions, a new kit launch, and friendlies in Turkey before heading to the US. The team's participation was earlier in doubt due to geopolitical tensions, but FIFA and US officials have since confirmed Iran's involvement. Iran will play New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Group G, though the squad has been hit by the injury of key winger Ali Gholizadeh.
Iran's national football team (Team Melli) is entering a critical phase of preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Posts on the team's official Instagram account on Monday showed players taking part in a photoshoot to unveil the new home kit for the tournament, alongside images from training sessions at an undisclosed location.
Key members of the Iranian squad, including first-choice goalkeeper Alireza Safar Beiranvand and winger Milad Mohammadi, appeared in the new kit in the series of posts.
Iran has been placed in Group G of the 2026 World Cup and will play all its group-stage matches in the United States, co-host of the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.
The participation of the West Asian team had been thrown into doubt after the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28. Iranian officials questioned the role of the US as host, while US President Donald Trump earlier stated that Iranian players might not be safe playing in the country. However, recent statements from FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Iranian football officials have reaffirmed Iran's participation.
Speaking at the FIFA Congress in Canada on Thursday, Infantino confirmed: “Iran will take part in the FIFA World Cup 2026. And, of course, Iran will play in the United States.” Later, President Trump told reporters at the White House that he was “OK” with Iran playing on US soil.
On the sporting side, Iran's team has drawn up detailed training and match plans. Assistant coach Saeed Alhoei revealed that the first preparation phase will conclude with an internal match on Wednesday, featuring official match kits, international referees, and VAR technology to simulate actual tournament conditions.
Afterward, the entire squad will depart for Turkey next Monday for the final preparatory leg before flying to the United States in June. According to the schedule, they will play three friendlies: two closed-door matches against local clubs and one against a high-quality African national team, designed to simulate the playing styles of opponents from that continent.
At the World Cup, Iran will open its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, then face Belgium at the same venue on June 21, and conclude the group stage against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
However, the Iranian team has just suffered a major blow as winger Ali Gholizadeh – who was set to start on the right flank – tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a match for his Polish club Lech Poznan over the weekend. The club confirmed Gholizadeh will undergo surgery in the coming days, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation process lasting several months.
