Iran qualified for the 2026 World Cup after Mehdi Taremi scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan on Tuesday. The Inter Milan striker scored his second goal in the 83rd minute in Tehran, giving Iran the point it needed to qualify to a fourth straight appearance at the World Cup and a seventh overall.

UEFA Japan last week became the first non-host nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Iran joined the Samurai Blue on Tuesday. The rest of Asia will have to wait until the final window of third-round qualifiers in June to book tickets — either to the World Cup or a last-chance fourth round.

Yesterday, Iran secured its mathematical qualification for the 2026 World Cup after drawing against Uzbekistan, thanks to a brace from Mehdi Taremi that helped equalize the match twice. Naturally, all the fans present at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran erupted in joy. However, there is a slim chance that Iran could be expelled.