World Cup Qualifiers: Iran National Football Team Draws with Uzbekistan

On Tuesday, June 12, the Iran national football team drew with Uzbekistan in their final match of the first round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, securing their advancement to the next round as the group leader. Both Iran and Uzbekistan achieved four wins and two draws in their six matches of the first qualifying round, but Iran topped the table due to a better goal difference. The match was held at Azadi Stadium with around 20,000 spectators in attendance. The Uzbekistan national team featured players like Jalaluddin Masharipov and Oston Oruonov, who are members of Esteghlal and Persepolis clubs, adding to the match's appeal. Despite Iran's dominance in the game, the team struggled to create many scoring opportunities, while Uzbekistan posed threats on counterattacks. However, due to teamwork, in the 67th minute, a pass from Sardar Azmoun reached Mehdi Taremi, whose shot hit the post of Uzbekistan's goal. After the match, Mehdi Taremi was named the best player on the field. Iran's lineup included: Alireza Beiranvand, Mohammad Hossein Kananizadegan, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Saleh Hardani, Milad Mohammadi, Omid Noorafkan (Mohammad Ghorbani, 74), Saman Ghoddos (Seyed Abolfazl Jalali, 88), Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mehdi Torabi (Shahryar Moghanlou, 88), Mehdi Taremi, and Sardar Azmoun. Uzbekistan's lineup included: Otkir Yusupov, Hosseindin Alikulov, Rustamjon Ashurmatov, Khusanov, Shirzod Nasrulloyev, Farukh Sefiev, Otabek Shukurov (Azizbek Amanov, 71), Adiljan Khamorbekov, Jalaluddin Masharipov (Diyor Khulmatov, 71), Oston Oruonov, and Eldor Shomurodov (Abasbek Faizollahov, 57).