Team Melli is gearing up to face Turkmenistan on Thursday, coinciding with Nowrooz, in the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. The objective is clear: to fortify their position atop Group E and secure an early ticket to the third round of qualifiers.
On paper, Iran’s football prowess dwarfs that of Turkmenistan’s. The FIFA rankings and various metrics underline Iran’s superiority over its northeastern counterpart. However, when it comes to on-field clashes, Turkmenistan proves to be a formidable opponent for Team Melli.
Out of the eight encounters between the two teams, Iran has managed to clinch victory only thrice while suffering defeat twice. Notably, these matches have seldom seen significant score gaps, indicating the competitive edge that Turkmenistan brings to the field.
Turkmenistan’s enigmatic status as one of the world’s most secretive nations, governed by an autocratic leader fond of ostentatious displays, adds an aura of intimidation. This could partially explain Iran’s relatively modest performances on Turkmen soil, although such factors hold no sway in matches played on neutral or Iranian turf.
Despite Turkmenistan’s underwhelming performance, and failing to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in Qatar, they remain a puzzle for Team Melli. Their inability to dominate a lower-ranked opponent raises questions, especially considering Iran’s football pedigree.
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026
AFC ZONE QUALIFIERS – SECOND ROUND
GROUP E
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | D | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 4 |
| 2 | Uzbekistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 4 |
| 3 | Turkmenistan | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 1 |
| 4 | Hong Kong, China | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 1 |
As the upcoming match unfolds at the Azadi Stadium, Team Melli stands as the undeniable favorite, despite the disappointment of their defeat in the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals against Qatar. With the home advantage and a thirst for redemption, Iran is poised for victory with a comfortable margin. Among those eager to make their mark is Sardar Azmoun, an Iranian Turkmen renowned for his knack of finding the net against Turkmenistan.
In conclusion, while Turkmenistan presents a challenge, Team Melli’s determination and talent are primed to secure a convincing win, propelling them closer to their World Cup aspirations.
FIFA RANKING
| TEAM | FIFA Ranking | AFC Ranking | Highest Rank | Lowest Rank |
| IRAN | 20 | 2 | 15 | 122 |
| TURKMENISTAN | 141 | 26 | 86 | 174 |
Match Data
| H / A / N | Matches | W | D | L | Goals | + / – |
| Home | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 – 4 | +3 |
| Away | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 – 3 | -1 |
| Nneutral | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 – 1 | +0 |
| Total | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 – 8 | +2 |
List of Matches
| Date | Competetion | H / A / N | score | Stadium | Result | Attendance |
| 12.Nov.2015 | Competition | H | 3 – 1 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran | W | 35,800 |
| 16.Jun.2015 | World Cup Qualifier / Round 2 – GROUP D | A | 1 – 1 | Garaşsyzlyk Stadium , Dashoguz | D | 10,000 |
| 25.Nov.1996 | Friendly | H | 0 – 1 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran | L | 15,000 |
| 28.Apr.1996 | Friendly | A | 0 – 1 | Ashgabat Stadium, Ashgabat | L | 30,000 |
| 26.Apr1996 | Friendly | A | 1 – 1 | Ashgabat Stadium, Ashgabat | D | 10,000 |
| 05. Oct.1994 | Asian Games | N | 1 – 1 | Bingo Athletic Stadium, Onomichi | D | 7,000 |
| 14.Jun.1993 | ACO Cup | H | 2 – 1 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran | W | 1,5000 |
| 25. Nov.1996 | ACO Cup | H | 2 – 1 | Azadi Stadium, Tehran | W | 15,000 |