Iran secures 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
The match, held at home, saw Mehdi Taremi score both goals for Iran.
KATHMANDU: Iran has officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after securing a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan on Tuesday.
The match, held at home, saw Mehdi Taremi score both goals for Iran.
For Uzbekistan, Khusimat Erkinov and Abbosbek Fazulyev were the scorers.
Uzbekistan took the early lead in the 16th minute with a goal from Erkinov.
However, Taremi, the striker from Inter Milan, equalized for Iran in the 52nd minute.
Just one minute later, Fazulyev regained the lead for Uzbekistan. But Taremi’s second goal in the 83rd minute sealed the draw and secured Iran’s place in the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time, and their seventh overall.
In Group A, Iran finished at the top with 20 points, while Uzbekistan secured second place with 17 points.
Meanwhile, in a Group C match in Hangzhou, Australia defeated China 2-0, advancing closer to securing their spot in the 2026 World Cup.
China, which made its World Cup debut in 2002, has struggled to qualify again and remains at the bottom of the group, tied on 6 points with Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia, after a goalless draw with Japan, occupies third place in Group C.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, with the tournament set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year.
