Iran is preparing for its seventh World Cup appearance with the goal of reaching the knockout stage for the first time. Experienced coach Amir Ghalenoei spoke to FIFA about his team's ambitions.
As three-time Asian champions and semi-finalists in the last two Asian Cups, Iran has long been a dominant force in Asian football. However, translating continental success into global impact has proven more challenging than anticipated. Despite qualifying for five of the last six World Cups, Iran is still surprisingly seeking its first knockout stage appearance. In six previous tournaments, they have been eliminated in the group stage each time, winning only three of 18 matches.
The team believes that this current squad, featuring a group of experienced players, is finally ready to break that curse. Ghalenoei expressed confidence that his players have the technical potential to make the World Cup a memorable experience for the nation, despite the many challenges they have faced. Iran has been drawn into a competitive group featuring Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. The coach remains optimistic, noting that his team cruised through qualifying, losing only one of 16 AFC qualifying matches. Ghalenoei emphasized the importance of showcasing Asian football's quality and proving Iran's progress on the global stage.
