Group: G — Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

How they Qualified: Iran topped AFC third-round Group A and effectively punched their ticket on March 25, 2025, when Mehdi Taremi scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan in Tehran. Team Melli won six of their first eight matches in the round and ultimately finished the group eight points clear of third-place UAE.

Best World Cup Finish: Group Stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022)

Transfermarkt Roster Value: $40.36 M

FIFA Rank: 21

Odds to Win Group: +450

Odds to Advance: -280

Odds to Win Cup: 500-1

Key Players:

  • Mehdi Taremi — Striker — Olympiacos (Greece). Taremi is still the centerpiece of the attack. He scored the brace that sent Iran through against Uzbekistan, then added another goal in the final qualifier against North Korea. He led the team in both goals and assists in qualifying.
  • Mohammad Mohebi — Winger — Rostov (Russia). Mohebi has become one of the most important vertical threats in the team. He started key qualifiers, scored against North Korea, and set up Taremi in that same 3-0 win.
  • Alireza Beiranvand — Goalkeeper — Tractor (Iran). Beiranvand remains the veteran anchor at the back and started the crucial qualifiers against the UAE, Uzbekistan, and Qatar. For a team that still wins a lot of tight games, his experience matters.

Playing Style and Outlook

Iran are not a pure bunker team, but they are also not built around dominating the ball for long stretches. Their recent competitive matches show a side that shifts shapes while keeping roughly the same identity. They lined up in a 4-1-3-2 against both the UAE and Uzbekistan, a 4-4-2 double 6 against Qatar, and a 4-1-4-1 against North Korea. The common thread is a veteran spine, a narrow structure, and an attack built around getting runners close to Taremi rather than endlessly circulating possession.

Iran were steady rather than spectacular in qualification, with a 2-0 over the UAE, 2-2 with Uzbekistan to clinch qualification, a 1-0 loss at Qatar after they were already through, and then 3-0 over North Korea to close the round. They look most comfortable when the game is compact and structured, with Taremi finishing moves, Mohebi and the wingers attacking space, and the veteran back line managing the margins.

That makes Group G pretty interesting. Belgium are deserved favorites, but the market clearly sees Iran in a real fight with Egypt for second while New Zealand trail behind. Iran are not one of the tournament’s glamorous teams, but they are experienced, hard to beat, and well positioned to make a serious push for the first knockout-round appearance in their history. One current concern, though, is that Reuters reported this week that likely starting winger Ali Gholizadeh suffered a season-ending ACL injury, which is a meaningful blow to their right side.