Iran out of World Cup: Late drama ends Team Melli’s knockout dream | World Cup 2026 news

Austria’s 3-3 draw with Algeria has finally decided Iran’s fate as Team Melli exits the 2026 World Cup.

Iran’s hope to reach World Cup the knock-down phase for the first time came to a bitter end after Austria The ultimate equalizer against Algeria left them out of the eight third-placed teams in the tournament.

Amir Ghalenoei’s side ended their Group G campaign on Friday with a 1-1 draw against Egypt, leaving them waiting to find out on Saturday if three points would be enough to secure a place in the white man 32.

Iran had already endured one major setback when Egypt’s stoppage-time winner was ruled offside.

That left them needing another result in the group stage to progress, and for a few minutes on Saturday, it looked as if Iran would go through as Algeria struck in stoppage time to beat Austria 3-2.

However, the Austrians equalized with almost the last kick of the game, holding on for a 3-3 draw that sent both teams level and denied Iran a place in their seventh World Cup match.

Iran leave the tournament undefeated after a warm-up against Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in a tough match for the crowd. difficulty in the game.

Uncertainty about visas and US-Israel War on Iran it meant that the team had to leave their home cohost competition in Mexico in their three group games in the United States.

The United States government officials told them to enter within 24 hours of the game and departed the same day although the restrictions were eased slightly for their final game in Seattle, where they were allowed to arrive two days before game.

US President Donald Trump he said in March that Iran was welcome to participate in the World Cup but did not believe it was necessary for them to be in the US “for their lives and security”.

After the game against Egypt, ⁠captain Mehdi Taremi described the situation as a “disaster” of preparation and questioned whether his team was really welcome in the tournament.

“Who wants to help us?” Taremi asked the media. If they want us to go out, fine, let’s go out.

The main members of the delegation were unable to join the team in the US, as well as the coach Ghalenoei said his team was “oppression“.

In the end, the Iranian campaign fell short.

Had Taremi scored a first-half penalty against Egypt or had his header hit the net instead of a later through ball, Iran would have been looking forward to a knockout game for the first time.