Iran secured their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage on Tuesday after a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran. This marks Iran’s fourth consecutive World Cup qualification and their seventh overall.
Joining co-hosts United States, Mexico, and Canada, as well as Japan and New Zealand, Iran became the sixth team to book their place in the expanded 48-team tournament. Mehdi Taremi, the Inter Milan striker, was the hero of the night, scoring both goals for Team Melli in an otherwise shaky performance.
Despite Iran’s defensive lapses, which allowed Uzbekistan to score twice, the draw was enough to guarantee Iran a top-two finish in Group A of the AFC’s third qualifying round. Uzbekistan, meanwhile, remains on the brink of their first-ever World Cup qualification, needing just one win from their remaining two matches.
While Iran’s qualification is a significant achievement, it comes with potential complications. The 2026 World Cup will primarily be hosted in the United States, a country with strained relations with Iran. Travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. government could make it difficult for Iranian fans, players, and staff to enter the country.
A recent memo reported by Reuters listed Iran among 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Syria, and North Korea, that could face full visa suspensions under U.S. policies. This echoes the 2017 travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries during the last Trump presidency.
Iran’s only chance to avoid playing in the U.S. would be to win Group A, which would allow them to play their group matches in Mexico. However, advancing beyond the group stage—a feat Iran has never achieved—would likely bring them back to U.S. soil.
