Tag: FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Saeed Ezzatollahi Ruled Out of UAE Clash Due to InjuryTeam Melli’s Injury List

Saeed Ezzatollahi has been ruled out of Iran’s squad for Thursday’s match against the UAE due to injury.

According to Sports Three, the Iranian midfielder missed Team Melli’s final training session on Wednesday at Dastgerdi Stadium, confirming his absence from the upcoming World Cup qualifier.

Iran will also have another injury concern heading into the match. Star forward Mehdi Taremi has sustained a minor injury but is expected to make the squad. Reports suggest that he should be fit enough to feature in the lineup against the UAE.

Ezzatollahi, the fifth most experienced player in the national team, will continue his rehabilitation under the supervision of Team Melli’s medical staff. A final decision on his availability for Iran’s crucial clash against Uzbekistan will be made in the coming days.

Team Melli’s qualifications scenarios

The chances of Team Melli qualification on March 25th after the end of the match against Uzbekistan are quite high. Iran is just about on the threshold of qualification with the two next matches could see Team Melli qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the seventh time with a few two matches to spare.

In here we will review the various scenarios in which Iran can seal its qualification in the next two matches vs. UAE on the 20th and then against Uzbekistan on the 25th and both matches are held at home in Azadi Stadium.

Eight Team Melli Players at Risk of Suspension Ahead of Uzbekistan ClashTeam Melli players under the threat of suspension

Eight key Team Melli players face the risk of suspension for Iran’s crucial match against Uzbekistan on March 25 if they receive yellow cards in Thursday’s game against the UAE.

Iran will host the UAE at Azadi Stadium on the final day of the Iranian calendar year 1403 as part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei will send his team onto the field under the looming threat of potential suspensions, with eight players carrying yellow cards from previous matches.

The players at risk are Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Hossein Kananizadegan, Milad Mohammadi, Sardar Azmoun, Mehdi Ghayedi, Mohammad Mohebi, Aria Yousefi, and Saeed Ezzatollahi—all just one booking away from missing the showdown with Uzbekistan.

If any of these players receive a yellow card against the UAE, they will be ruled out of the Uzbekistan match. Additionally, should any of them receive a caution against Uzbekistan, they risk suspension for Iran’s final two qualifiers.

Disciplinary issues have historically been a weak spot for Team Melli, and this trend has persisted under Ghalenoei’s tenure. Managing player discipline will be crucial in ensuring Iran fields its strongest squad for the decisive matches ahead.

UAE Faces Crucial Clash Against Iran in World Cup Qualifiers

Thursday’s game between Iran and the UAE at Azadi Stadium marks the 21st meeting between the two neighboring nations at the senior international level. The UAE has managed just one victory, a friendly match win, and has yet to defeat Team Melli in an official competition. This winless record has become a psychological hurdle for the team, adding pressure on head coach Paulo Bento as he prepares his squad for two pivotal matches in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Apart from their encounter with Group A leaders Iran on March 20 in Tehran, the UAE will face North Korea on March 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With the stakes higher than ever, Bento has unveiled a 27-man squad featuring key reinforcements, including four newly naturalized players: Caio Lucas and Luan Pereira from Sharjah, Jonatas Santos from Al Wasl, and Alaa Al-Din Zuhair from Al Wahda. Their inclusion is expected to inject fresh energy into all areas of the team. The naturalization of Latin American and African players has been a successful strategy in the Persian Gulf nations, with Qatar being a prime example of its effectiveness.

Squad Reinforcements and Key Returns

For the UAE, key players returning to the squad include Sharjah goalkeeper Khalid Tawhid and Shabab Al Ahli striker Sultan Adel, both of whom have recovered from long-term injuries. Additionally, Al Jazira’s Abdullah Ramadan makes his comeback, providing Bento with more options in midfield.

One of the most anticipated additions is Brazilian-born forward Caio Lucas, whose long-awaited call-up could be a game-changer for the UAE’s attacking strategy. The UAE has struggled to convert chances in previous qualifiers, making Lucas’ clinical finishing and creativity crucial. His impressive record this season—20 goals and seven assists in 30 matches for Sharjah—highlights his ability to make a significant impact.

Lucas, who initially joined Al Ain in 2016 before moving to Benfica and later Sharjah, has built a reputation as a versatile forward with a sharp eye for goal. His recent performances in the AFC Champions League and domestic competitions demonstrate his ability to perform under pressure. Speaking to Telecom Asia Sport, Lucas expressed his excitement about representing the UAE:

“This is an opportunity I have long awaited. The UAE has been my home for years, and I want to give back by helping the team in any way I can. I will do everything to make a difference in these crucial matches.”

Jonatas Santos (23), another Brazilian-born talent, joined Al Ain Club in January 2020 and, after several successful seasons, moved to Al Wasl on loan this season, where he has been in excellent form. His performances have made him one of Bento’s key attacking options for the upcoming matches.

Tunisian-Emirati defender Alaa Al-Din Zuhair (25), who joined Al Wahda Club in 2020, has earned a regular starting position. Known for his defensive strength and ability to contribute goals from set-pieces, Zuhair’s inclusion aims to address defensive gaps that have cost the UAE crucial goals in recent matches.

Brazilian-Emirati midfielder Luan Pereira (24) has played for Sharjah Club for five seasons and is thrilled to be part of the national team. His performances this season—31 appearances, nine goals, and nine assists—have cemented his status as a key playmaker for both club and country.

A Must-Win Scenario for the UAE

Currently third in the group with 10 points from six matches, the UAE is in a fierce battle for direct qualification. They trail second-placed Uzbekistan by three points and hold a narrow lead over fourth-placed Qatar, making these upcoming fixtures decisive.

Iran, sitting comfortably at the top with 16 points, presents a formidable challenge. However, the UAE is determined to avenge their 1-0 loss in the first leg and secure a crucial victory to boost their qualification hopes. A win against Iran would not only close the gap but also provide momentum ahead of their showdown with North Korea—a team known for its resilience.

With everything on the line, Paulo Bento’s squad must deliver a performance worthy of their World Cup ambitions. Can the UAE rise to the occasion and stake its claim for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Head2Head

H / A / NMatchesWonDrawLostGoalsGoal Difference
H54104 – 0+4
A971115 – 4+11
N651010 – 1+9
Total20163129 – 5+24

More players invited to Team Melli camp.

Following the latest Persian Gulf League matches, Team Melli selectors have added seven more players to the current 21-man squad in camp.

According to the coaching staff, the newly invited players are as follows:

  • Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Tractor), Seyed Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal)
  • Defenders: Shoja Khalilzadeh (Tractor), Saleh Hardani (Esteghlal), Roozbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal)
  • Midfielders: Amir Mohammad Razaghnia (Gol Gohar Sirjan)
  • Forwards: Amir Hossein Hosseinzadeh (Tractor)

The newly selected players will join the rest of the squad on Monday as preparations begin for the upcoming double-header against the UAE and Uzbekistan.

Perhaps the most notable inclusion among the new call-ups is 18-year-old Amir Mohammad Razaghnia. The talented midfielder has already made a name for himself at the youth level, having won the MVP award in a tournament held in Belarus. His selection signals a potential shift in head coach Amir Ghalenoei’s approach, showing a greater willingness to incorporate young talent into the national team setup.

However, the continued presence of Shoja Khalilzadeh in the squad suggests that Ghalenoei is not yet ready to part ways with his experienced core. While his selection brings valuable leadership and experience, it also highlights the ongoing balance between youth development and reliance on seasoned veterans within Team Melli.

Statistics: Mehdi Taremi

Mehdi Taremi’s statistics speak volumes about his value to Team Melli. A key player who has consistently delivered over the years, Taremi’s contributions were particularly significant during the 2024 season, where his goals made a substantial impact. Despite his risky move to Inter Milan in Serie A, where he struggled to secure a spot in the starting lineup, his modest club performance amidst stiff competition from world-class players did not significantly affect his performance at the national team level. As the highest scorer and top assist provider for Team Melli, Mehdi Taremi has proven to be an indispensable player for the team.

Many critics doubted Taremi’s readiness and ability to perform at the international level due to his limited playing time at the club. This skepticism was evident in a few matches with Team Melli, where he was wasteful and even missed a penalty. However, his determination and perseverance compensated for these setbacks, ensuring that his performance for Team Melli remained strong.

Mehdi Taremi’s goal tally ranks him third all-time, behind his mentor Ali Daei and teammate Sardar Azmoun. Since his debut in 2015, Taremi has scored 53 goals, solidifying his place among the greats of Iranian football.

The illustration below captures the essence of Taremi’s achievements and highlights his contributions to Team Melli’s success!

Statistics: Sardar Azmoun

Sardar Azmoun had an outstanding year with Team Melli, leading the Persians to the top of Group A in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Following his transition from the elite European leagues to the less prestigious Persian Gulf Football, there were concerns that the star player might experience a decline in performance, which had prompted his transfer.

However, Azmoun defied expectations. His exceptional goal-scoring ability, combined with his vision and awareness to create spectacular assists for his teammates, proved to be the driving force behind Team Melli’s success. The year 2024 stood out as one of Azmoun’s most successful years with Team Melli, showcasing his prowess and solidifying his status as a key player for the national team.

Azmoun is now the second-highest Team Melli Goal scorer after the Legendary Ali Daei.

This illustration captures the essence of Azmoun’s achievements and highlights his contributions to Team Melli’s success!

Team Melli continue its winning run with another close victory.

Bishkek: Iran had to dig deep to overcome Kyrgyz Republic 3-2 in their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Group A clash on Tuesday to move closer to a place in the FIFA World Cup 26 Finals.

Leading 2-0 at the break, Iran had to withstand a Kyrgyz Republic fightback in the second half before Sardar Azmoun struck the winner to take them to 16 points as they stayed three clear at the top.

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei opted for Hossein Kanani to partner Ali Nemati in the heart of defence in place of the suspended Shojae Khalilzadeh as his side made a confident start to the game.

They took the lead after only 12 minutes, Saied Ezatolahi’s header from a corner kick was saved by Erzhan Tokotaev, only for the rebound to fall kindly for Mehdi Taremi to slam home.

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Kyrgyz Republic did have a sustained period of possession after that but without much threat with Joel Kojo being tightly marked by the Iranian defense.

The visitors turned a defensive situation to their advantage in the 33rd minute when they broke after a Kyrgyz Republic corner kick with Azmoun releasing Saleh Hardani, with the experienced defender coolly slotting home past Tokotaev.

Kyrgyz Republic head coach Maksim Lisitsyn rang in the changes for the second half with Beknaz Almazbekov and Erbol Atabaev replacing Gulzhigit Alykulov and Kai Merk respectively, a tactic that paid quick dividends.

Almazbekov’s cross cum shot in the 50th minute had Alireza Beiranvand tracking back to tip over and from the ensuing corner kick, the home side pulled a goal back through Kojo’s header.

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Lifted by the goal, Kyrgyz Republic poured men forward and drew level in the  64th minute when Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov was fouled in the box with Kojo stepping up to send his penalty past Beiranvand.

Seeing his side being put under intense pressure, Ghalenoei responded with Roozbeh Cheshmi, Mohammad Ghorbani, Mehdi Ghayedi and Omid Norafkan coming on for Ezatolahi, Seyed Karimi, Ali Gholizadeh and Hardani.

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The moment of quality Iran were seeking finally came in the 76th minute from a Milad Mohammadi cross that was met with a thumping header by Azmoun to secure Iran’s fifth win. 

Iran will meet the United Arab Emirates when the AFC Asian Qualifiers resume in March with Kyrgyz Republic to take on Uzbekistan

Match preview: Kyrgyzstan vs Iran

Bishkek: Iran will expect to take another step towards sealing qualification when they play Kyrgyz Republic in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 on Tuesday.
Seeking a fourth consecutive and seventh overall appearance at the global showpiece, Iran holds a three-point lead at the summit, with the top two sides to qualify automatically for the Finals.

Despite a fightback from DPR Korea, Iran were deserved winners of their tie on Thursday after a dominant first half which saw them taking a 3-0 lead.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei will want his side to avoid another nervous finish, which was sparked by Shojae Khalilzadeh’s 50th minute sending off.
“We have to be able to adapt to different situations. We managed to control the game through our substitutions and we must now shift our focus to the next game,” said Ghalenoei.

Kyrgyz Republic, appearing at this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the first time, only have three points on the board but remain in contention and will be determined to make home ground advantage count against Iran.
Maksim Lisitsyn’s lost 3-0 to United Arab Emirates on Thursday with the head coach attributing their heaviest defeat so far in the AFC Asian Qualifiers to mistakes of their own doing.
The Central Asian side were, however, a handful to their opponents in their earlier matches and will hope for a result against Iran, who were restricted to a 1-0 win when the sides met in September.
Kyrgyz Republic v IR Iran

Team Melli will be without Saman Ghoddos (injured) and Shoja’a Khalilzdeh (suspension). Mohammed Mohebbi will be doubtful and awaiting a fitness test.


Venue: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium (Bishkek)
Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+6)

HEAD2HEAD

DateCompetitionScoreScorers
4th Jun 1997World Cup Qualifier7 – 0Farhad Majidi (2),Ali Mousavi , Ali Daei , Mehrdad Minavand , Karim Bagheri (2)
9th Jun 1997World Cup Qualifier3 – 1Khodada Azizi (2),Karim Bagheri
7th Jun 2016Friendly6 – 0Masoud Shojaei ,Mehdi Taremi ,Mehdi Torabi , Karim Ansarifard (2), Sardar Azmoun (1)
16th Jun 2023CAFA Nations Cup5 – 1Mehdi Taremi (3), Sardar Aazmoun (2)
5th Sep 2024World Cup Qualifier1 – 0Mehdi Taremi

Squad update ahead of Kyrgyzstan match.

Team Melli will leave for Bishkek at 5 pm local time on a direct flight to the Kyrgyz Republic capital for the first match of the return round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Missing from the squad will be three players.

Mohammad Mohebbi: The star of the game against Korea DPR and the scorer of a brace has received a knock and seems to be doubtful. It is not clear if he will fly with the team and if the coaching staff would utilize him for the game against Kyrgyzstan after passing a fitness test. His absence will be a blow for the team, especially as he has scored four goals in two games in the qualifiers.

Saman Ghoddos, whose injury has been diagnosed as more serious than initially thought, will not accompany the squad and instead will head back to the UAE for observation and treatment by his club medical team. Ghoddos did not play against North Korea on Thursday.

Shoja’a Khalilzadeh: His red card against Korea DPR means an automatic suspension, and he will not accompany the team to Bishkek.

Doubtful cases:
Sardar Azmoun: The center forward of Team Melli who has been in excellent form recently, received a knock in the last game against Korea DPR. Coach Ghalenoei p[ted to substitute him in the middle e of the second half. No further report of complications or the extent of the injury has been made public. Azmoun. however, is on the passenger manifest of the flight. His game time will be decided by Ghalenoei on Tuesday.