WANA (Dec 08) – Seven major international media outlets have released their assessments of Iran’s prospects for advancing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

 

Iran has been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. In response, several prominent global sports outlets have evaluated Iran’s likelihood of progression, with 80 percent of them projecting Iran as the second most likely team to advance from the group.

 

According to the announced schedule, Amir Ghalenoei’s side will face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in that order.

 

The evaluations from the seven international media outlets are as follows:

 

NBC Sports: Advancement as a third-placed team (among the best third-placed teams)

 

FOX Sports: Advancement as second or third

 

Sporting News: Advancement as second

 

Goal: Advancement as second

 

Opta Analyst: Expected to compete for the top spot in the group

 

The Athletic: Advancement as second

 

Bleacher Report: Advancement as first or second

WANA - Iran , FIFA

Spain and Five Other Countries Considered for Iran’s Pre-World Cup Friendlies

According to the manager of Iran’s national team, six countries have expressed readiness to play friendly matches ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

 

Following the draw and the confirmation of Iran’s opponents, the national team officials—currently based in the United States—have begun in-person discussions and formal correspondence with several nations to arrange pre-tournament friendlies.

 

Mehdi Nabi, the national team manager and vice president of the Iranian Football Federation, stated that negotiations have so far taken place with four European teams—Spain, Scotland, Iceland, and Finland—as well as two African teams, Algeria and Tunisia.

 

It remains to be seen which of these teams will ultimately face Iran in friendly matches in the lead-up to the World Cup.