Iran's national football team appears to be on track for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with social media posts hinting at an upcoming kit reveal and showing the squad training at an undisclosed location. Videos posted on Team Melli's Instagram account on Monday featured players in a photo shoot for what seems to be the home kit for the tournament.

Key players, including first-choice goalkeeper Alireza Safar Beiranvand and winger Milad Mohammadi, were seen wearing the new kit. Iran is drawn in Group G and will play all its matches in the United States, which co-hosts the tournament with Canada and Mexico.

Iran's participation was thrown into doubt after the US and Israel launched a war on Iran on February 28, with Iranian officials questioning the US role as host. However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed at the FIFA Congress in Canada: "Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026. And of course Iran will play in the United States of America." US President Donald Trump later said he was "OK" with Iran playing.

Iranian football officials outlined the team's preparation plan: the first phase ends with an intra-team game on Wednesday, using official kits and VAR to simulate match conditions. The squad will then travel to Turkey for three friendlies before heading to the US in June.

Iran kicks off its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by Belgium on June 21, and concludes group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

In a significant blow, winger Ali Gholizadeh suffered a season-ending knee injury while playing for Lech Poznan in Poland. Tests confirmed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, requiring surgery and several months of rehabilitation.

Source: www.aljazeera.com