Oman today_ The Iranian national football team, after securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup, has begun its preparation program with the goal of making a strong appearance in the tournament. Following friendly matches against Russia and Tanzania during the October FIFA window, the Football Federation is now planning additional preparatory games against top European teams during the March FIFA window (late March).
According to the federation’s Secretary-General, the aim is for Iran to play two friendly matches against strong European sides ahead of the World Cup, allowing the players to gain experience in high-level competition. A recent television program hinted that one of Iran’s potential opponents during this period could be Spain — the team that won the 2010 World Cup and was previously in the same group as Iran in the 2018 World Cup.
However, holding this match depends on the outcome of the World Cup draw in December. If Iran and Spain are not placed in the same group, a friendly match between the two teams during the March FIFA window is expected to be confirmed.
In addition to this potential fixture, the Iranian national team will also participate in a four-team tournament featuring Egypt, Uzbekistan, and Cape Verde. Iran’s first opponent in this tournament will be Cape Verde. These matches provide an excellent opportunity to assess the players’ technical and tactical readiness ahead of the World Cup.