Iran qualify for 2026 World Cup

Perennial World Cup participants Iran became the second Asian side to secure their place at next year’s global showpiece after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Uzbekistan in Tehran on Tuesday.

Iran, the second-highest ranked AFC side in the FIFA standings, needed only a point to join Japan in qualifying for the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The Group A leaders were made to work hard at the Azadi Stadium by upward-trending Uzbekistan, with Mehdi Taremi scoring seven minutes from time – his second of the match – to seal the point.

Seeking to qualify for a first World Cup, Uzbekistan opened the scoring on 16 minutes through Khojimat Erkinov, before Inter Milan striker Taremi scored his first of the night shortly after half time.

Parity lasted only one minute, with Abbosbek Fayzullaev restoring Uzbekistan’s lead.

READ ALSO:FG unveils 50 TETFund-sponsored textbooks

Again, Taremi was the man to pull his team back into the game and ultimately book a spot in North America, when he finished past goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov late on.

Iran will be appearing at a fourth successive World Cup.

Uzbekistan remain on course for an inaugural appearance at the finals.

Sitting second on 17 points, a win in June either away to third-placed UAE or at home to Qatar, in fourth, will be enough, though they could book their place sooner.

The UAE, locked on 10 points with Qatar, take on bottom team North Korea later on Tuesday. A defeat for the UAE will send Uzbekistan to the finals.

The top two go straight to the World Cup, with teams finishing third and fourth in the three Asian groups entering a further round of qualifying.

READ ALSO:How emerging technologies are reimagining accounting and driving global growth – Odunfa

Earlier on