World Cup Qualifying - Asia | Third Round

Oct 15, 2024 at 5pm UK

Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium

Iran vs Qatar

Match preview

After being knocked out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the group stage by Gareth Southgate's England and USA, Iran are on a mission to qualify for football's biggest tournament once again in 2026. Tuesday's hosts had a productive start to the third round of AFC action.

Iran kept up their winning streak with back-to-back 1-0 victories over Kyrgyzstan and the United Arab Emirates in September. On Thursday night, they played Uzbekistan, the top team in Group A, at Milliy Stadion in Tashkent. The match ended in a draw.

After picking up seven points from their first three games in the third round of qualifying, Iran are currently in second place in the six-team section. The top two teams in Group A after 10 matches will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Mehdi Taremi is the most recognisable face in the Team Melli ranks alongside fellow attacker Sardar Azmoun. Taremi secured a high-profile move to Serie A champions Inter Milan during the summer transfer window, while Azmoun was on loan at Roma last term. His former parent club, Bayer Leverkusen, lifted the Bundesliga title as invincibles.

After hosting football's greatest event in the winter of 2022, Qatar are on the hunt for back-to-back World Cup appearances. However, Tuesday's visitors have made an inconsistent start to life in Group A during the third round of AFC qualification.

After a winless September, which included games against the United Arab Emirates and North Korea, the Maroons recorded their first victory of the section on Thursday night. Goals from Almoez Ali and Ibrahim Al-Hassan helped defeat bottom side Kyrgyzstan 3-1 at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha.

Qatar will be looking to do a lot better in their next away match in this round of qualifying on 10 September. In their last away match in this round of qualifying, the 2022 World Cup hosts could only manage a draw with winless North Korea.

After collecting a steady tally of four points from their first three fixtures in Group A, Tintin Marquez's troops are occupying fourth place in the section standings, three points behind second-placed Iran who lie in the lowest of the automatic spots for the World Cup.

Recent Performance

Iran World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:WWDWWD

Qatar World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:WDWLDW

Injuries and suspensions

Iran

18 Abolfazl Jalali

2 Saleh Hardani

Qarar

No sidelined players

Possible starting lineups

Iran possible starting lineup:

Beiranvand; Hazbavi, Khalilzadeh, Nemati, Mohammadi; Mohebi, Ezatolahi; Jahanbakhsh, Ghoddos, Azmoun; Taremi

Qatar possible starting lineup:

Barsham; Mohammad, Khoukhi, Mendes, Fadlalla; Hatem, Fathi, Moustafa, Afif, Junior; Ali