Match 15Mon, Jun 15, 2026 · 21:00 ET
Group G
Iran World Cup 2026 Schedule — Group G Fixtures, Local Times & Free PDF
Iran Group G World Cup 2026 schedule: every group-stage fixture vs New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, ET and local kickoff times, host cities, printable PDF wallchart, and free ICS calendar downloads.
GroupG
Matches3
First MatchMon, Jun 15, 2026
Host Cities2
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Featured match
Match 15IranvsNew Zealand
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Venue local kickoffLos Angeles, Jun 15, 2026, 6:00 PM
Team guide
Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Iran head to FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of Asia's most established qualifiers — Team Melli bring disciplined organization, fierce supporter passion, and a proven ability to trouble stronger opponents on the global stage. Drawn in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, Iran face a realistic path to the Round of 32 in the expanded 48-team format, where 32 sides advance including the best third-placed finishers.
This page is the definitive Iran World Cup 2026 schedule hub: every confirmed fixture, Eastern Time kickoff, venue in Los Angeles and Seattle, opponent breakdown, key players, and download options including printable wallcharts and calendar files. Whether you are following from Tehran, the Iranian diaspora in California, or anywhere worldwide, all three group match dates and opponent details are here. With two matches at SoFi Stadium and a potentially decisive finale in Seattle, 2026 may offer Iran their clearest opportunity yet to break through the group stage for the first time in history.
2026 performance
Iran World Cup 2026 performance
Group G outlook and confirmed fixtures for Iran's North American campaign.Group stage overview
Iran are placed in Group G, one of the more intriguing sections of the 2026 draw. Belgium bring elite individual quality and tournament experience, Egypt offer physicality and African champion pedigree, and New Zealand represent the Oceania pathway in the expanded format. Iran will likely target results against New Zealand and Egypt while staying competitive against Belgium — a scenario where six or seven points could be enough to advance when third-place teams also qualify.
Realistically, Iran's minimum target is four points from New Zealand and Egypt, with anything gained against Belgium as a bonus. The West Coast venue cluster is favorable for Iranian supporters in the North American diaspora, potentially creating a strong home-adjacent atmosphere at SoFi Stadium.
Group snapshot
Iran World Cup 2026 Group G opponents
Iran faces New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt across 3 group-stage fixtures.Iran
Group GFixtures
Iran World Cup 2026 fixtures
Click any team card to view its full World Cup 2026 schedule.Match 39Sun, Jun 21, 2026 · 15:00 ET
Match 63Fri, Jun 26, 2026 · 23:00 ET
Opponent
New Zealand
The All Whites return through the expanded qualification format. New Zealand typically organize defensively and rely on set pieces and physical presence. Iran should enter as favorites on paper, but an opening-match slip would put immediate pressure on the Belgium and Egypt fixtures.
Opponent
Belgium
Belgium remain a top-tier European side despite a generational transition. Their technical quality, tactical flexibility, and depth make them the group favorite. Iran's best approach is compact defending, quick transitions, and clinical use of set pieces.
Opponent
Egypt
Egypt bring Premier League experience through players like Mohamed Salah and a proud record in African football. They are physically strong and dangerous on the counter. The Seattle fixture could effectively be a knockout game for second place or a critical third-place points battle.
Key players
Iran key players to watch
Five players likely to shape Iran's World Cup 2026 campaign in Group G.Forward
Mehdi Taremi
Iran's all-time leading active goalscorer and the focal point of Ghalenoei's attack after Sardar Azmoun's omission from the final squad. Now at Olympiacos, Taremi led Iran's qualifying campaign with 10 goals and remains the one player capable of deciding tight group-stage matches against Belgium or Egypt.
Goalkeeper
Alireza Beiranvand
Iran's first-choice goalkeeper and a World Cup veteran with over 85 caps. Beiranvand's reflex saves, commanding aerial presence, and penalty-area authority make him essential in a group where a single clean sheet could determine advancement as one of the best third-placed teams.
Left-back
Ehsan Hajsafi
Team Melli's captain with 145 international caps — one of the most experienced players at the entire tournament. Hajsafi's leadership, set-piece delivery, and composure on the left flank anchor an aging but disciplined Iranian back line across three North American fixtures.
Defensive Midfielder
Saeid Ezatolahi
The midfield shield with over 80 caps and the tactical discipline Iran need against Belgium's technical superiority and Egypt's counter-attacks. Ezatolahi's ball-winning, positional sense, and ability to protect the back four give Team Melli a foundation to build quick transitions through Taremi.
Left-back
Milad Mohammadi
A dynamic overlapping full-back whose energy and crossing from the left add width to Iran's compact system. Mohammadi's ability to relieve pressure with forward runs and contribute in both phases makes him a key outlet when Iran need to break from deep against stronger Group G opponents.
Analysis
Iran analysis and outlook
A balanced look at Iran's tactical identity, group path, and knockout potential at World Cup 2026.Iran's identity under recent coaching setups has been clear: disciplined shape, limited risk in possession, and maximum efficiency in the final third. That approach suits World Cup football, where underdogs thrive by staying compact and punishing mistakes. Group G tests that formula in different ways — New Zealand's directness, Belgium's technical superiority, and Egypt's counter-attacking threat each demand tactical adjustments.
The schedule offers both an advantage and a challenge. Two matches at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles create a consistent base for preparation, but the final group game in Seattle introduces travel and a different climate environment days before a potentially decisive fixture. Squad depth in midfield and defense will be tested if injuries or suspensions accumulate across the three matches.
On balance, Iran enter 2026 as a credible Round of 32 contender rather than a mere participant. They are unlikely to top the group ahead of Belgium, but second place or a high-ranked third-place finish is within reach. Reaching the knockout stage for the first time in Iranian football history is a genuine possibility — but it requires winning the matches they are expected to win and avoiding defensive lapses in the closing stages of each game.
World Cup history
Iran World Cup history
How Team Melli have fared on football's biggest stage across six tournament appearances.Early tournaments and qualification
Iran made their World Cup debut at Argentina 1978 and have since become a regular presence on football's biggest stage. They have qualified six times in total — 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, and 2022 — making them one of the most reliable Asian representatives in World Cup history. Qualification is rarely straightforward, but Iran's regional competitiveness has kept them in contention across multiple cycles.
Memorable campaigns
Iran's greatest World Cup moment came at France 1998, when goals from Hamid Estili and Mehdi Mahdavikia secured a stunning 2–1 victory over the United States in Lyon — a result that transcended sport and remains one of the most talked-about matches in tournament history.
At Russia 2018, Carlos Queiroz built a compact, defensively resilient side that held Portugal to a 1–1 draw and narrowly lost 1–0 to Spain, earning respect from stronger European opponents. Despite never advancing past the group stage, Iran have repeatedly proved they can frustrate and occasionally defeat higher-ranked teams.
Recent World Cup record
At Qatar 2022, Iran opened with a 6–2 loss to England before responding with a morale-boosting 2–0 win over Wales and a 1–1 draw with the United States — a result that left them just short of the Round of 16. Across the last three tournaments, Iran have shown improved competitiveness against European opposition, even if consistency across all three group matches has remained their biggest challenge.
Team poster
Download Iran World Cup 2026 schedule poster
Save or print the Iran World Cup 2026 schedule poster with group-stage fixtures, opponents, dates, times and venues.
Poster download
Printable Iran fixture wallchart
A premium supporter poster for Group G, with Iran's three group-stage matches, local venue details and opponent flags.
Independent fan guide. Schedule details may change; verify critical match information with official sources.
Downloads
Download Iran schedule files
Use the existing team bundles for printable wallcharts and calendar files.PDFDownload Iran Wallchart PDFPrintable Iran World Cup 2026 schedule poster.Download Iran Wallchart PDFPNGDownload Iran Wallchart PNGHigh-resolution Iran supporter poster image.Download Iran Wallchart PNGICSAdd Iran World Cup 2026 CalendarTeam calendar files for confirmed group-stage fixtures.Add Iran World Cup 2026 CalendarZIPDownload All 48 Team WallchartsComplete bundle with every team wallchart in PNG and PDF format.Download All 48 Team Wallcharts
Knockout path
Iran knockout scenarios
Exact knockout opponents are not confirmed until group standings are final.Scenario
If Iran won Group G
Iran advanced as group winners and enter the .
Scenario
If Iran finished second in Group G
Iran advanced as runners-up and enter the .
Scenario
If Iran qualified as a best third-place team
Iran advanced among the best third-placed teams and enter the .
FAQ
Iran World Cup 2026 FAQ
When is Iran's first World Cup 2026 match?
Iran open their campaign against New Zealand on June 15, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Kickoff is 21:00 Eastern Time (18:00 local venue time). As Iran's opening Group G fixture, this match sets the tone for the rest of the group — a strong start would ease pressure ahead of the Belgium and Egypt games.
What group is Iran in, and who are their opponents?
Iran are in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt. They play each opponent once across 3 confirmed group-stage matches: New Zealand (June 15, 2026), Belgium (June 21, 2026), Egypt (June 26, 2026). Belgium are widely regarded as the group favorite, while results against New Zealand and Egypt are likely to be decisive in the race for second place or a best third-place finish.
Where are Iran's World Cup 2026 matches played?
All three of Iran's group games are in the United States. They face New Zealand and Belgium at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, and play their final group match against Egypt at Lumen Field, Seattle. The Los Angeles double-header keeps travel minimal early on, though the Seattle fixture introduces a West Coast venue change before a potentially decisive closing game.
What are Iran's chances of advancing from Group G?
In the expanded 48-team format, 32 teams progress to the Round of 32 — including the best third-placed sides — so Iran's path is more realistic than in any previous World Cup. A practical target is four to six points, built on wins or draws against New Zealand and Egypt, plus anything earned against Belgium. Iran are unlikely to top the group, but second place or a high-ranked third-place finish is a genuine possibility if they stay defensively solid and convert chances in tight matches.
What is Iran's best ever result at the FIFA World Cup?
Iran have qualified six times (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, and 2022) but have never advanced beyond the group stage — making a Round of 32 berth in 2026 a potential historic first. Their most celebrated campaign remains France 1998, highlighted by a famous 2–1 win over the United States. At Qatar 2022, Iran responded to an opening loss to England with a 2–0 victory over Wales and a 1–1 draw with the USA, falling just short of knockout qualification.
How can I download Iran's World Cup 2026 wallchart and calendar?
This page includes direct download links for Iran's printable schedule poster in PNG and PDF format, showing all three group fixtures with dates, kickoff times, opponents, and venues. To add matches to your phone or desktop calendar, visit the Iran World Cup 2026 calendar page at /iran-world-cup-2026-calendar or download the team calendar bundle from the World Cup 2026 calendar downloads section at /world-cup-2026-calendar-download. All files reflect Iran's confirmed Group G fixtures and update if schedule changes are announced.
Which Group G match is likely the most important for Iran?
The final group game against Egypt on June 26 in Seattle could prove the most consequential. By then, both teams may know exactly what result they need to reach the Round of 32 — whether that means chasing second place or securing points as one of the best third-placed teams. That said, Iran cannot afford to overlook the opening match against New Zealand; dropping points early would make the Belgium and Egypt fixtures far more stressful. In short: the campaign starts in Los Angeles, but it may well be decided in Seattle.
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