Road to the 2026 World Cup Thread ( Discussion, Analysis, Schedule etc)

[orbicular]

We are the under dogs in all 3 matches

You are right in a way. I find it amazing that some people here or on YouTube think Iran is in an easy group. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Outside of Belgium, the three other teams are fairly close in talent and it’ll ultimately come down to preparation and mental fortitude. As such, each of the teams will probably bank its hope on surviving the encounter against Belgium but beating the other two. And that will make for feisty battles. Some people think we can replicate the exact same success we had with Wales against New Zealand as well. But New Zealand will probably turn out to be more physical and better prepared. The same goes for Egypt. And it’s not a secret that Iran has historically played better against superior opponents as opposed to mediocre or weak teams. So let’s not get complacent. This will not be an easy group!

[Club monaco]

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/a...pboard&utm_con tent=topic%2Firan

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/dec/06/2026-fifa-world-cup-schedule-seattle-matches-unvei/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic%2Firan

Iran was guaranteed to play at least one game in the United States – either in Los Angeles or Seattle – while there is currently a travel ban on Iranian residents entering the country. It will play three with its first two matches in the Los Angeles area at SoFi Stadium.

Iran is ranked 20th in the world but its fans currently are under a travel ban from coming to the U.S. Egypt is 34th in the world and while it still has superstar Mo Salah, he’s not the player he once was. They are equally matched teams who could be playing for a spot in the knockout rounds so the quality of the game might end up great even if the star power – and possibly atmosphere – could be lacking.



The schedule for the largest and most complex World Cup ever was announced Saturday at the Hilton Capital Hotel in Washington and it isn't a favorable one for Southern California businesses hoping to cash in on the tournament. Of the five group-stage matches, two feature Iran, whose citizens have been banned from traveling to the U.S. by the Trump administration. Although Southern California is home to the largest concentration of Iranians outside Iran, those fans won't be booking flights or hotel stays, dampening the economic effect on the region.

[perspolis#1]

egypt has marmoush who's better than anything we have faced in asian qualifying
same goes for chris wood

this defence got scored on by qatar, north korea twice and JOEL KOJO - the IPL failure

Marmoush and Chris Wood will have a field day

also chris wood has been in better form the last few years than azmoun and taremi have been


don't get why people think this is a cake walk - our defence is so poor , its the weakest its ever been i'd argue

That being said... Egypt and New Zealand are not Norway or Italy.

We have a chance of winning. Similar to our game vs Wales. Similar to our game vs Nigeria in 2014.

We have a chance of winning.

We need to work to our strengths and play the proper friendlies

[IRAN_TILL_I_DIE]

In the UK times are
2am
8pm
4am

going to be some sleepless nights!

[Super Shojaei]

Agreed. Egypt is clearly better than us. We will be the under dog.

egypt has marmoush who's better than anything we have faced in asian qualifying
same goes for chris wood

this defence got scored on by qatar, north korea twice and JOEL KOJO - the IPL failure

Marmoush and Chris Wood will have a field day

also chris wood has been in better form the last few years than azmoun and taremi have been


don't get why people think this is a cake walk - our defence is so poor , its the weakest its ever been i'd argue

[KasraKhan]

Trust me bro no one is underestimating Egypt lol

Agreed. Egypt is clearly better than us. We will be the under dog.

[perspolis#1]

When will we know for sure which match is at which venue?

Just revealed


Iran-New Zealand is in LA

Iran-Belgium is in LA

Iran-Egypt is in Seattle

[Iranianarsenal11]

This means nothing lol. We were missing 9 starters and we were still the better team vs. Uzbekistan, and this is coming from someone who is also part Uzbek. Underestimate us at your own peril.

I’ll see you guys at the WC

Trust me bro no one is underestimating Egypt lol

[Ali Doust]

When will we know for sure which match is at which venue?

[Iranianarsenal11]

NO it wont' be a home game.
It will be full of crazy insane political types. Vancouver especially.
Both cities full of the .01% nutcase Iranians (rajavistas, komolehs...

Vancouver maybe, but I think LA would actually have a lot of Team Melli support

[perspolis#1]

Good that means more tix for us. But I can promise u all the losers who cheered against TM in 2022 will be trying to get ticket

I already have 4 per game so those are ones they cant get 💪

[Pluto2000]

We can only hope Azmoun's racist football skills come out vs Egypt! Since it seems like he doesn't score any goals unless its vs an Arab team then he does a hat trick or bicylce/sick header

[Super Shojaei]

This would have been an ideal group for the 2018 team, even though Salah and Lukaku were younger and more dangerous. But Iran’s chances of advancing are decent, provided there’s adequate planning and preparation going forward. Any political distractions like the kind the players had to endure in the last World Cup would clearly tip the balance in others teams’ favor. Also, we should not underestimate any of the teams in the group, at least not publicly, characterizing them as easy or beatable. That’s what a lot of Iranians did in 2006 before the game against Mexico (which also baffled a lot of Mexican fans) and paid the price.

Everyone thought we were gonna beat Angola then they did better than us and drew first blood v us

Chris wood is a better forward man than anything we have faced in Asian qualification he will be licking his lips facing Shojah and Kaani he won’t believe his luck

I hope Zare integrates in this team and I think Eckert will be useful v New Zealand and Egypt we simply must call him up. He is also used to playing v Belgians

[orbicular]

teams will bring their a game

but california makes it a home game for us quintessentially

just defensively even egypt and new zeland's frontline will be better than what we have faced in asia

but a great draw for us - it really could've gone a million times worse just now need to sack GN

This would have been an ideal group for the 2018 team, even though Salah and Lukaku were younger and more dangerous. But Iran’s chances of advancing are decent, provided there’s adequate planning and preparation going forward. Any political distractions like the kind the players had to endure in the last World Cup would clearly tip the balance in others teams’ favor. Also, we should not underestimate any of the teams in the group, at least not publicly, characterizing them as easy or beatable. That’s what a lot of Iranians did in 2006 before the game against Mexico (which also baffled a lot of Mexican fans) and paid the price.

[Behzad A]

Game to be played on Tuesday June 16, 2026

Iran v New Zealand
Los Angeles or Seattle, venue/kick-off TBC