Iran will host Turkmenistan at the Azadi Sports Complex on Thursday evening in the 2026 AFC World Cup qualifiers this week.
Team Melli are currently top of Group E due to a superior goal difference while the Emeralds are third in the group.
Match preview
© Reuters
Iran kicked off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 4-0 victory over Hong Kong on home soil before settling for a 2-2 draw away at Uzbekistan.
Team Melli, who have now been considered as regulars at the World Cup, are looking to make it to the seventh edition in their history and the fourth one in a row.
The last time they were in action was during the Asian Cup in February where they lost 3-2 to eventual winners Qatar in the semi-final, ending their 18-game unbeaten run that included 16 wins.
As Iran gear up for a double-header with the Emeralds of Turkmenistan, they will hope to keep their unbeaten record against them going.
The last time both countries met was during the 2018 World Cup qualifying series, where Iran drew 1-1 away from home before picking up a 3-1 win on home soil.
Ranked 141st in the latest FIFA ranking, Turkmenistan are going for a giant-killing mission against Iran this week.
The Emeralds were in action for the first time this year when they played an international friendly match against Kazakhstan on March 14, a game they lost 2-0.
Turkmenistan are heading into Thursday's match off a ten-match winless streak, with their last victory coming against Bangladesh on June 11, 2022, a 2-1 win during the Asian Cup qualifying series.
Having lost 3-1 to Uzbekistan before a 2-2 draw with Hong Kong in their opening two matches of the World Cup qualification series, Mergen Orazow's side will hope they can add to the one point they have had so far when they face off against Iran in a double-header this week.
Team News
© Reuters
Eight new players have been called up to the Iranian national side ahead of the double-header against Turkmenistan.
These players include defenders Amin Hizbavi and Hossein Goudarzi, goalkeeper Arsha Shakouri, midfielder Mohammad Ghorbani, and four forwards which are Saeed Saharkhizan, Mohammadreza Azadi, Mehdi Limouchi and Javad Agaheipour.
Meanwhile, Al Wehda midfielder Ahmad Nourollahi is a notable omission from Team Melli's roster, as the coach confirmed that his exclusion is due to a disciplinary issue.
Turkmenistan is expected to line up Abdysh-Ata midfielder Teymur Charyev alongside Arslanmyrat Amanow and Altinmurat Annadurdiev.
Ruslan Mingazov, who scored a brace against Hong Kong, should start in an attack that is likely to also include Elman Tagayew and Welmyrat Ballakow.
Iran possible starting lineup:
Beiranvand; Rezaeian, Kanaanizadegan, Khalilzadeh, Hajsafi; Afagh, Ebrahimi; Jahanbakhsh, Ghoddos, Taremi; Azmoun
Turkmenistan possible starting lineup:
Caryyew; Jumayew, Basimow, Geldiyew, Durdyyev; Amanow, Charyev, Annadurdiev; Mingazov, Tagayew, Ballakow
We say: Iran 4-0 Turkmenistan
Iran are the overwhelming favorites in this fixture and should win with a comfortable margin. Turkmenistan have recorded seven losses in their ten-match winless streak heading into this game and the clear underdogs here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
