Iran

Iran

1st in FIFA World Cup Qualifying - AFC
FIFA chief hails women-only crowd at Iranian top-flight match FIFA chief hails women-only crowd at Iranian top-flight match

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has offered "heartfelt gratitude" to Iranian authorities for allowing tens of thousands of female fans to attend a top-flight soccer match between Sepahan and Persepolis this week.

France face match-fixing allegations at Futsal World Cup France face match-fixing allegations at Futsal World Cup

France brushed off allegations of match-fixing after their 4-1 defeat by Iran sent them into a softer part of the draw at the Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan.

What we learned as the third round of Asian qualifiers for the World Cup got underway What we learned as the third round of Asian qualifiers for the World Cup got underway

From the Japanese juggernaut to numerical deficits not mattering, here's what we learnt from the third round of Asian qualifiers.

The main talking points as the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup begins The main talking points as the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup begins

There is plenty to look forward to as the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup begins on Thursday.

The 18 teams contesting the third round of Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup The 18 teams contesting the third round of Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup

18 teams are still in the hunt to reach the World Cup as the third round of Asian qualifiers kick off on Thursday.

Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia to clash again in Asian World Cup qualifiers Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia to clash again in Asian World Cup qualifiers

Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia will renew their respective rivalries in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers.

The 18 teams advancing to the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup The 18 teams advancing to the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

With the second round of the Asian qualifiers completed, 18 teams are still in the hunt to reach the World Cup.

South Korea held by Thailand in first game of post-Klinsmann era South Korea held by Thailand in first game of post-Klinsmann era

South Korea dropped points in a draw against Thailand but still maintained their Group C lead after China failed to capitalize.

Five things to keep an eye on as Asian qualifiers for 2026 FIFA World Cup return Five things to keep an eye on as Asian qualifiers for 2026 FIFA World Cup return

After a four-month hiatus, the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup returns this week -- and there's plenty to keep a close eye on.

The gap between Asia's best and the rest has closed; World Cup will be next The gap between Asia's best and the rest has closed; World Cup will be next

The 2023 Asian Cup has shown that the gap between Asia's elite and the second tier has closed, and that could have a significant flow-on effect at the 2026 World Cup.

WCQ - AFC Standings

# TEAM GP GD PTS
1 Iran 6 +7 16
2 Uzbekistan 6 +3 13
3 United Arab Emira.. 6 +8 10
4 Qatar 6 -7 7
5 Kyrgyz Republic 6 -7 3
6 North Korea 6 -4 2
Full Standings

Team Leaders

Top Scorers

# Player Goals M A
Mehdi Taremi 7 12 6
Sardar Azmoun 7 11 4
Mohammad Moheb.. 4 8 1

Top Assists

# Player Assists M G
Mehdi Taremi 6 12 7
Sardar Azmoun 4 11 7
Mehdi Ghayedi 2 9 3