Iran's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a significant setback after winger Ali Gholizadeh was ruled out of the tournament due to a serious knee injury. The 30-year-old, who has earned 44 caps for his country, sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury while playing for Polish club Lech Poznan.
In a statement, Lech Poznan confirmed that Gholizadeh will undergo surgery in the coming days, followed by several months of rehabilitation. The injury occurred during Lech's 1-0 victory over Motor Lublin on Saturday, and the recovery period is expected to extend into the latter part of 2026. This is a particularly cruel blow for Gholizadeh, who had recently been named player of the month in Poland's top flight.
Gholizadeh featured in all three of Iran's matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and was expected to play a key role this summer. His absence adds to the challenges facing the Iranian squad, which has been grappling with the suspension of domestic football since the war began in late February. Reports indicate that Iran's players have been training together in Tehran ahead of a planned training camp in Turkey, before flying to the United States next month.
Iran are drawn in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. Their opening match against New Zealand is scheduled for June 16 in Inglewood, California, with just 42 days remaining until kick-off. However, numerous logistical issues remain unresolved, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, as well as tensions with the United States.
All three of Iran's group-stage fixtures will take place on the west coast of the United States, with the team set to base themselves at a training camp in Tucson, Arizona. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump have both given the green light for Iran's participation, though practical difficulties persist. Last week, Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj was denied entry at the Canadian border while attempting to attend the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, due to his affiliation with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Canada designates as a terrorist organization.
Iran is scheduled to meet with FIFA at its headquarters in Switzerland later this month to discuss the practicalities of competing at the World Cup, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. A ceasefire is currently in place in the Middle East, but tensions remain high, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump had previously suggested that it would not be "appropriate" for Iran to compete "for their own life and safety," but he softened his stance when questioned on the matter recently. "You know what, let them play," Trump said after being informed that Infantino had reiterated his support for Iran. "Gianni is fantastic, he's a friend of mine, he talked about it, I said, 'you do whatever you want'. You can have them, you don't have to have them."
Speaking at the FIFA Congress, Infantino emphasized the unifying power of sport, stating: "Of course, Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and of course Iran will play in the United States of America. The reason for that is very simple, dear friends, is because we have to unite. We have to bring people together. It is my responsibility."
