TEHRAN – Iran football team were held to a 2-2 draw by Uzbekistan in Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 and it could be a warning for Team Melli.

Iran went 2-0 up in the first half but conceded two goals in the second half. Uzbekistan could have scored more than two goals but Iran were lucky to escape with a point in Tashkent.

Iran showed the poor performance in the second half against Uzbekistan and the players suffer lack of focus.  

The result means that Iran, headed by Amir Ghalenoei, had no concentration during the match. It seems the Iranian players were supposed to win the match but football lasts 90 minutes.

Star-studded Iran have not won a title in the AFC Asian Cup for more than 47 years and are determined to bring an end to the title drought. The Persians are drawn in Group C along with Palestine, the UAE and Hong Kong and will most likely qualify for the next stage but the team will have difficult task ahead in the next rounds.

Japan, are the favorites to win the title for the fifth time, as well as Roberto Mancini’s Saudi Arabia and Jurgen Klinsmann’s South Korea.