Iran have become the latest nation to announce their 2026 World Cup squad as they look to navigate a tough looking Group G.
Amir Ghalenoei will look to lead his side to the knockout stages, as they come up against Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt. Iran have never made it out of the group stage but the increased format may provide them with the perfect chance to make history.
The squad selected by Ghalenoei doesn’t contain many well known names but the most familiar are Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who played 50 games for Brighton, Saman Ghoddos, once of Brentford and Mehdi Taremi, the experienced striker that excelled at Porto before moving to Inter Milan.
- Bet £10 get £30
- Excellent Football Betting Options
- Extensive Bet-Builder
- Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker
New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
Iran World Cup 2026 squad
| Squad number | Player | Position | Domestic club | International caps | International goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alireza Beiranvand | GK | Tractor (Iran) | 85 | 0 |
| 12 | Payam Niazmand | GK | Persepolis (Iran) | 15 | 0 |
| 22 | Hossein Hosseini | GK | Sepahan (Iran) | 13 | 0 |
| 3 | Ehsan Hajsafi | DF | Sepahan (Iran) | 145 | 7 |
| 5 | Milad Mohammadi | DF | Persepolis (Iran) | 75 | 1 |
| 23 | Ramin Rezaeian | DF | Foolad (Iran) | 73 | 7 |
| 13 | Hossein Kanaanizadegan | DF | Persepolis (Iran) | 64 | 6 |
| 4 | Shojae Khalilzadeh | DF | Tractor (Iran) | 57 | 2 |
| 2 | Saleh Hardani | DF | Esteghlal (Iran) | 17 | 1 |
| 19 | Ali Nemati | DF | Foolad (Iran) | 16 | 0 |
| 25 | Danial Eiri | DF | Malavan (Iran) | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Alireza Jahanbakhsh | MF | Dender (Belgium) | 98 | 17 |
| 6 | Saeid Ezatolahi | MF | Shabab Al-Ahli (UAE) | 82 | 1 |
| 14 | Saman Ghoddos | MF | Kalba (UAE) | 67 | 3 |
| 16 | Mehdi Torabi | MF | Tractor (Iran) | 52 | 7 |
| 15 | Rouzbeh Cheshmi | MF | Esteghlal (Iran) | 40 | 3 |
| 8 | Mohammad Mohebi | MF | Rostov (Russia) | 36 | 14 |
| 10 | Mehdi Ghayedi | MF | Al-Nasr (UAE) | 29 | 10 |
| 21 | Mohammad Ghorbani | MF | Al-Wahda (UAE) | 15 | 0 |
| 17 | Aria Yousefi | MF | Sepahan (Iran) | 13 | 1 |
| 26 | Amirmohammad Razzaghinia | MF | Esteghlal (Iran) | 3 | 0 |
| 9 | Mehdi Taremi | FW | Olympiacos (Greece) | 104 | 60 |
| 20 | Shahriyar Moghanlou | FW | Kalba (UAE) | 20 | 2 |
| 18 | Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh | FW | Tractor (Iran) | 17 | 5 |
| 11 | Ali Alipour | FW | Persepolis (Iran) | 13 | 1 |
| 24 | Dennis Eckert | FW | Standard Liege (Belgium) | 0 | 0 |
Iran arrives in the Americas with a squad that balances Amir Ghalenoei’s tactical discipline with the frightening flair of a proven golden generation. Mehdi Taremi remains the focal point as Team Melli look to escape Group G and finally make a deep run into the knockout stages.
The squad depth available to the national side is truly impressive. Alireza Beiranvand remains the undisputed number one, protected by an experienced defensive core featuring Ehsan Hajsafi and Milad Mohammadi. Further forward, a creative engine room inspired by European experience provides the spark. Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Saman Ghoddos, and Mehdi Torabi have developed a telepathic understanding that could really benefit Iran this summer.
While veterans like Shojae Khalilzadeh provide vital stability, the inclusion of Aria Yousefi and Kasra Taheri signals a shift toward dynamic talent. Mohammad Mohebi’s resurgence at Rostov adds a clinical edge to an attack already boasting the predatory instincts of Taremi.
From a statistical perspective, Iran possess the profile of a team capable of upsetting the elite. They currently rank among Asia’s best for progressive passes and big chances created per 90. If Ghalenoei can harness this individual brilliance into a cohesive unit, Iran are the dark horses to watch this summer.
- Read more: Iran World Cup 2026 odds
Three players to look out for this summer
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Dender)
Alireza Jahanbakhsh enters the 2026 World Cup as the seasoned heartbeat of Iran’s Team Melli, carrying both the captain’s armband and the weight of a nation’s expectations. Now applying his trade at Belgian side FCV Dender, the 32-year-old winger remains a tactical linchpin for Amir Ghalenoei. With nearly 100 caps, his wealth of European experience – spanning the Eredivisie, Premier League, and now the Belgian Pro League – provides a vital level of composure and big-game savvy that is rare in the squad.
Jahanbakhsh’s impact this summer will be defined by his dual role as a creative outlet and a defensive shield. Known for his directness and exceptional crossing, he is the primary supplier for the predatory Mehdi Taremi. However, it is his leadership and work-rate that often prove decisive; his ability to organize the press and track back ensures Iran remains compact against elite opposition in Group G. If Iran is to secure a historic knockout berth, Jahanbakhsh’s technical flair and veteran guidance will be the catalyst.
Mehdi Taremi (Olympiacos)
Mehdi Taremi arrives at the 2026 World Cup as Iran’s undisputed offensive focal point, a striker whose blend of physical power and clinical precision makes him one of the most feared forwards in Group G. At 33, the Olympiacos star remains the tactical cornerstone for Amir Ghalenoei, bringing a decade of elite European experience – including stints at Porto and Inter Milan – to the Lions of Mesopotamia’s attack. With over 60 international goals, Taremi is not just a finisher; he is the emotional and tactical leader of a veteran squad.
His impact this summer will be defined by his remarkable ability to thrive in isolation. Whether leading the line as a lone striker or dropping deep, Taremi’s intelligent movement and predatory instincts in the box are world-class. His presence forces elite defences like Belgium’s to remain cautious, creating space for creative sparks like Alireza Jahanbakhsh. If Iran is to finally secure a historic knockout-stage berth, Taremi’s big-match temperament and knack for scoring decisive goals will be the decisive factor.
Dennis Eckert (Standard Liege)
Dennis Eckert enters the 2026 World Cup as the intriguing “X-factor” of Iran’s offensive arsenal, a player whose late inclusion offers a fresh, European-honed dimension to Amir Ghalenoei’s squad. The 29-year-old Standard Liège forward, born in Germany and recently naturalised, brings a unique tactical profile to Team Melli. His upbringing in the Bundesliga and La Liga systems, combined with his current goal-scoring form in the Belgian Pro League, provides a sophisticated alternative to the established duo of Taremi and Azmoun.
Eckert’s impact this summer will likely be defined by his versatility and tactical intelligence. Capable of operating as a secondary striker or a mobile wide forward, he excels at exploiting spaces behind the full-back line – a trait that could be invaluable against high-pressing opponents like Belgium in Group G. His ability to link play and his comfort on the ball under pressure offer Iran a vital outlet during transitions. While he is a newcomer to the international stage, Eckert’s hunger to prove himself and his technical refinement make him a potent weapon off the bench. If he can quickly integrate with creative sparks like Jahanbakhsh, Eckert could be the surprise catalyst for Iran’s knockout-stage ambitions.
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets with Bet365
Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...
- Open an account (here's a link)
- Make a qualifying deposit of between £5* and £10*
- Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.
- To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.
- Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled
- To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Iran World Cup 2026 fixtures
Read more:
