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Iran Leads Group G After 0-0 Draw with Belgium

6/22/2026

30 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Iran Holds Belgium

Iran and Belgium drew 0-0 on June 21, 2026, putting Iran atop Group G.
Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand made seven saves, including a close-range stop on Maxim De Cuyper.
Defender Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card in the 66th minute for fouling Mehdi Taremi.
Belgium had 23 shots, dominated possession, and saw Taremi’s free-kick ruled offside after VAR, leaving both teams with two points and Friday fixtures against New Zealand and Egypt.

Summary

Iran Oppressed

Coach Amir Ghalenoei called his squad the “most oppressed team” after visa issues moved the team from Los Angeles to Tijuana.
Forward Jeremy Doku missed the match because of a respiratory illness.
Betting odds listed Belgium at -250, Iran at +650, and a draw at +370.
Iran used a 5-4-1 formation, inserting veteran Ehsan Hajsafi into defense, in the first World Cup meeting with Belgium.

History

Historical Context

After winning three straight Asian Cups (1968-1976), Iran entered its first World Cup in Argentina in 1978, finishing third in Group 4 with a 1-1 draw against Scotland and defeats to the Netherlands and Peru, earning a single point. The historic debut, rooted in regional dominance, shows how recurring political and logistical hurdles have long shaped Iran’s World Cup journeys.

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Iran Holds Belgium

Iran and Belgium drew 0-0 on June 21, 2026, putting Iran atop Group G.
Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand made seven saves, including a close-range stop on Maxim De Cuyper.
Defender Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card in the 66th minute for fouling Mehdi Taremi.
Belgium had 23 shots, dominated possession, and saw Taremi’s free-kick ruled offside after VAR, leaving both teams with two points and Friday fixtures against New Zealand and Egypt.

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