Iran’s world cup 2026 build-up took a hit when North Macedonia and Angola canceled planned warm-up matches in the United States. Amir Ghalenoei said the team still does not know which opponents will fill the schedule before the tournament.
Ghalenoei’s Tehran Plan
Ghalenoei said Iran will stay in Tehran until May 6 and play two internal matches before leaving for Turkey after a few days of rest. If the schedule holds, the team will then go to the United States.
He also said it was not yet clear which teams Iran will face before the World Cup. The current plan had included Macedonia and Angola, while matches with Puerto Rico and Panama have already been canceled.
Iran’s Group G Schedule
Iran reached the World Cup on the field and was drawn into Group G, with all three group-stage fixtures set for the United States in June. That adds weight to every lost preparation date because the team’s match rhythm has to be rebuilt before the tournament begins.
The group slate starts against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Monday, June 15. Belgium follows six days later at the same venue, and Egypt awaits at Seattle’s Lumen Field on Friday, June 26.
The Iranian Football Federation is still working to find replacement teams for the preparation window. For now, the disruption leaves Iran with internal matches in Tehran, a planned move to Turkey, and a race to line up meaningful opposition before the World Cup opens in the United States.
