#20
FIFA Ranking
6
WC Appearances
Group Stage
Best Finish
2022
Last World Cup
Road to the 2026 World Cup
Iran secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the Asia qualification pathway. As a AFC representative, they were among 8 teams from their confederation to earn a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Currently ranked #20 in the FIFA World Rankings, Iran enters the tournament as a dark horse team with expectations to compete at the highest level. With 6 previous World Cup appearances, they bring valuable tournament experience.
Group G Analysis
Iran has been drawn in Group G and will face three opponents in the group stage. Each team plays 3 matches, with the top 2 advancing automatically and 8 best third-place teams also qualifying for the Round of 32.
Group G Opponents
Belgium
FIFA Ranking: #5 • Elite opponent
Egypt
FIFA Ranking: #37 • Moderate opponent
New Zealand
FIFA Ranking: #101 • Challenging opponent
Group G Fixtures for Iran
Match 14
Jun 15, 2026
Iran
vs.
New Zealand
SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Match 31
Jun 21, 2026
Belgium
vs.
Iran
SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Match 56
Jun 26, 2026
Egypt
vs.
Iran
Lumen Field, Seattle
Tournament Outlook
Realistic Expectations
Qualify from the group stage in the top two positions. A Round of 16 or Quarter-final appearance represents a successful tournament.
Best-Case Scenario
Reach the semi-finals or even the Final with a favorable draw and strong performances. History shows teams in this tier can surprise favorites and make deep runs.
Key Challenges
Consistency across all three group matches and handling pressure in knockout rounds. Must maximize chances against elite teams while avoiding slip-ups versus lower-ranked opponents.
Can Iran Win the World Cup?
Iran enters as a dark horse candidate — not among the top favorites, but certainly capable of a deep run with the right combination of form, luck, and tactical execution.
World Cup history is filled with teams ranked 11-20 who exceeded expectations and reached semi-finals or even finals. If Iran can navigate their group and gain momentum in the knockout stage, they could surprise many observers. A tournament win would require everything to click at the right time, but it's not impossible.
World Cup History
Iran has appeared in 6 FIFA World Cup tournaments, demonstrating their status as a consistent qualifier on the global stage.
Their best result was Group Stage, representing their peak performance at the World Cup to date.
They last competed in the 2022 World Cup. As recent participants, they bring current tournament experience to 2026.
Having competed in several World Cups, Iran has developed a tournament pedigree that will serve them well in 2026.
Predict Iran's Tournament Journey
Build your complete World Cup 2026 bracket: rank all 12 groups, select third-place qualifiers, and pick your champion. Free, no login required.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Iran play at World Cup 2026?▾
Iran will play their first group stage match on June 15, 2026 against New Zealand. All three group stage matches will be completed by late June 2026, with knockout stage dates depending on their final group position.
Who is in Group G with Iran?▾
Iran has been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Each team will play three matches in the group stage, with the top 2 teams automatically advancing to the Round of 32 and the 8 best third-place teams also qualifying.
What is Iran's best World Cup finish?▾
Iran's best World Cup finish is Group Stage. They will be looking to improve on this result at the 2026 tournament.
Can Iran win the World Cup 2026?▾
Iran can compete with any team on their day and could potentially make a deep run if things align. Ranked #20 in FIFA rankings, they're considered a dark horse — not among the top favorites, but capable of surprising people. World Cup history shows teams at this level can reach semi-finals or finals with strong performances and a bit of luck. An outright win would be a remarkable achievement but isn't impossible.