Iran — 2026 World Cup Squad

Start with the goalkeeper, because Iran do. When Alireza Beiranvand winds up at Tractor, the throw travels like a corner taken from inside his own box, and a goal kick becomes a launchpad rather than a reset. That single habit tells you most of what you need to know about Team Melli: this is a side built to absorb, then to strike fast, comfortable letting opponents have the ball and the headache that comes with it.

Up front, Mehdi Taremi gives the whole thing a centre of gravity. The Olympiacos man drops to feet, knits the play together and still arrives to finish, dragging centre-backs into spaces they would rather not vacate. Mehdi Ghaedi supplies the spark from midfield, with Alireza Jahanbakhsh offering experience and direct running to either flank. The defensive spine is gnarled and knowing, Ehsan Hajsafi and Ramin Rezaeian patrolling the full-back channels with the calm of men who have seen every trick.

Expect a tight mid-block, minimal fuss and real menace on the break. Iran rarely outplay anyone, but they almost never beat themselves either, and against bigger names that stubbornness is worth points.