Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Team Melli compete in Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Manager Amir Ghalenoei, captain Mehdi Taremi. AFC qualifier.
Iran's outlook at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Sitting at FIFA #20, Iran are firmly in the "dark horse" tier — capable of a deep knockout run if the draw and form align.
Iran is the highest-ranked side in Group D (avg. opponent rank #35). They are expected to top the group, but Argentina and Morocco are realistic challengers.
The 2026 tournament uses an expanded 48-team, 12-group format with a new Round of 32. That changes the maths for Iran: the top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance, so even a third-place finish in Group D is often enough to reach the knockouts. The first Iran match of the World Cup is scheduled for Saturday, June 13 against New Zealand at AT&T Stadium.
Group D draw analysis
FIFA Ranking, confederation, and last-appearance finish for every team Iran face in Group D.
| Team | FIFA Rank | Confederation |
|---|---|---|
| Iran (this page) | #20 | AFC |
| Argentina | #1 | CONMEBOL |
| Morocco | #14 | CAF |
| New Zealand | #89 | OFC |
Iran 2026 World Cup fixtures
Players to watch
Get every player's stats - goals, assists, cards, minutes, xG - via the player stats endpoint for competition_id={COMPETITION_ID}.
Iran World Cup history
Iran have appeared at 7 previous FIFA World Cups. Their best finish remains Group stage. Across the last five tournaments they recorded: Group, Group, Group, Group, DNQ, including 1 occasion when they failed to qualify.
Get Iran data via API
// Fetch Iran World Cup 2026 matches
const response = await fetch(
'https://api.thestatsapi.com/api/football/matches?competition_id={COMPETITION_ID}&team=iran',
{ headers: { 'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' } }
);
const { data } = await response.json();Frequently Asked Questions
What group is Iran in at the 2026 World Cup?
Iran is in Group D alongside Argentina, Morocco, New Zealand. The average opponent FIFA ranking in Group D is #35.
Who is Iran's manager at the 2026 World Cup?
Amir Ghalenoei manages Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Mehdi Taremi as captain.
What is Iran's best World Cup finish?
Iran's best FIFA World Cup finish is Group stage. They have appeared in 7 previous World Cup tournaments. Recent form: Group, Group, Group, Group, DNQ.
Who are Iran's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Captain Mehdi Taremi leads a squad whose standout names include Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun, Alireza Jahanbakhsh. The full 26-player squad is named approximately one week before the opening match.
How did Iran qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
AFC qualifier. They came through the AFC qualifying pathway.
What is Iran's current FIFA Ranking?
Iran are ranked #20 in the world by FIFA at the time of the 2026 World Cup draw. Sitting at FIFA #20, Iran are firmly in the "dark horse" tier — capable of a deep knockout run if the draw and form align.
What are Iran's chances of winning the 2026 World Cup?
Iran is the highest-ranked side in Group D (avg. opponent rank #35). They are expected to top the group, but Argentina and Morocco are realistic challengers. Sitting at FIFA #20, Iran are firmly in the "dark horse" tier — capable of a deep knockout run if the draw and form align.
How can I get Iran fixtures and stats via API?
Use TheStatsAPI matches endpoint with competition_id={COMPETITION_ID} and filter by team_id to get all Iran World Cup 2026 fixtures, lineups, live scores, in-play events, xG, and player-level stats. The same endpoint also returns historical World Cup data for Iran going back to their first tournament.
Build a Iran app with live World Cup data
7-day free trial. All endpoints included on every plan.