The Iranian national football team will face New Zealand (FIFA Rank #85) in its first match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday morning, June 16th, at 04:30 Tehran time in Los Angeles, USA.

After a scare, it seems that Mehdi Taremi is fit enough to start the match for Iran. The number 9 striker, who has played 105 international matches so far, will enter the field with 60 international goals in the main lineup and will try to increase this impressive statistic.

In the attack, Taremi will be supported by two other goal scorers, Mohammad Mohebi and Mehdi Ghaedi; players who have 14 and 10 international goals in their portfolios, respectively, and play an important role in the team’s offensive phase.

However, Team Melli is also facing several injury issues; Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Dennis Eckert ( two players who have not featured in the pre-tournament camp), and Mehdi Torabi are likely to miss the match, while Roozbeh Cheshmi’s condition is also uncertain and has been postponed until the final fitness tests.

Saman Ghoddos is likely to retain his place in the starting lineup, while Saeed Ezzatollahi and Amir Mohammad Razaghinia will play in the middle of the field as a central midfield pair. In defense, Ramin Rezaian and Ehsan Hajsafi will cover the flanks on either side of the defensive line, while the pair of Shoja Khalilzadeh and Hossein Kananizadegan will be in the heart of the defense.

This defense will protect the national team’s number one goalkeeper, Alireza Beiranvand, a goalkeeper who will undoubtedly be in the starting lineup to ensure Iran has a strong start to the World Cup.

Possible Iran lineup:
Alireza Beiranvand; Ramin Rezaian, Shoja ‘a Khalilzadeh, Hossein Kananizadegan, Ehsan Hajsafi;

Saeid Ezzatollahi, Saman Ghoddos Amir Mohammad Razaghinia;

Mohammad Mohebbi, Mehdi Hagedi and Mehdi Taremi