Uzbekistan and Iran Set for World Cup Qualifier Clash in Tashkent

Uzbekistan and Iran, both striving to maintain their flawless records in the third round of the AFC World Cup Qualifiers, are set to clash at Tashkent’s Milliy Stadion on Thursday night. Both nations are leading Group A and are eager to leapfrog each other in their pursuit of a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

The Uzbek national team, commonly referred to as the White Wolves, showcased their resilience during their previous fixture. They emerged victorious in a high-scoring encounter against Kyrgyzstan, evidencing their capability to compete at this level. Uzbekistan has previously failed to qualify for every World Cup since becoming a FIFA member. However, with impressive performances throughout September, including wins over North Korea and Kyrgyzstan, optimism is building for the nation.

Striker Eldor Shomurodov, who plays for Roma in Italy’s Serie A, has been a key player for Uzbekistan, contributing significantly in attacks. The team remains unbeaten in normal time since a friendly against the United States in September 2023, marking a period of on-field improvement for the Uzbek side.

Iran, known as Team Melli, is determined to make their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance. With narrow 1-0 victories against Kyrgyzstan and the United Arab Emirates last month, Iran has matched Uzbekistan in Group A points. Alireza Beiranvand, a veteran goalkeeper with experience from the Qatar 2022 World Cup, is expected to be crucial in the Tashkent fixture.

The Iranian team, managed by Amir Ghalenoei since March 2023, has been on a remarkable run under his leadership. Winning 20 out of 24 matches, Ghalenoei has fortified Iran’s defense and attack, aiming to surpass their previous World Cup records.

In a statement from Eldor Shomurodov, the captain of the Uzbek team, he commented, “I think the game against Iran will be easier than the game against Kyrgyzstan.” He added that the match would present a different kind of challenge compared to their recent encounter.

Both Uzbekistan and Iran were part of Group E in the second qualifying round, where they drew both their contests. This upcoming match, therefore, promises to be a closely contested affair.

Uzbekistan is likely to field a starting lineup featuring Yusupov, Alidzhanov, Alikulov, Ashurmatov, Eshmuradov, Nasrulloev, Khamrobekov, Shukurov, Masharipov, Urunov, and Shomurodov. Meanwhile, Iran’s probable lineup includes Beiranvand, Hardani, Kanaani, Khalilzadeh, Mohammadi, Noorafkan, Ezatolahi, Jahanbakhsh, Ghoddos, Ghayedi, and Taremi.