WANA (Jun 28) – Iran’s national football team was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the final group-stage results determined the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage.

 

After drawing all three of its Group Stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, Iran’s qualification depended on one of three outcomes: a Croatia defeat to Ghana, Uzbekistan avoiding defeat against Congo, or a decisive result in the Austria–Algeria match.

 

The first two scenarios failed to materialize, as Croatia defeated Ghana and Congo beat Uzbekistan.

 

The final match between Austria and Algeria then produced a dramatic finish. Austria took the lead early, only for Algeria to equalize shortly afterward. Austria regained the lead in the second half, but Algeria again leveled the score less than five minutes later.

 

With 20 minutes remaining, both teams sat back and appeared content to settle for a draw, exchanging passes in their own half. However, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Algeria scored to make it 3-2—a result that would have sent Iran through to the knockout stage.

 

Just seconds before the final whistle, Austria found a dramatic equalizer to make it 3-3, denying Iran qualification and eliminating the team from the tournament.

 

The eight third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage are Congo, Sweden, Ecuador, Ghana, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Algeria, Paraguay, and Senegal.