By Victor Kanayo
Iran has now become the second Asian side to book their place at the 2026 World Cup.
This comes after the country twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan in Tehran on Tuesday night.
Iran, a perennial World Cup participant and the second-highest-ranked AFC side in the FIFA standings, needed only a point to join Japan in qualifying for the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Group A leaders were made to work hard at the Azadi Stadium by an improving Uzbekistan side, with Mehdi Taremi scoring seven minutes from time – his second of the match – to secure the point, according to a report by AFP.
Unknown Uzbekistan Hard Knot to Crack
Seeking to qualify for their first World Cup, Uzbekistan opened the scoring in the 16th minute through Khojimat Erkinov, before Inter Milan striker Taremi scored his first of the night shortly after half-time.
Parity lasted only one minute, with Abbosbek Fayzullaev restoring Uzbekistan’s lead.
Again, Taremi was the man to pull his team back into the game and ultimately book a spot in North America when he finished past goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov late on.
Uzbekistan remain on course for an inaugural appearance at the finals.
Sitting second on 17 points, a win in June either away to third-placed UAE or at home to Qatar in fourth will be enough, though they could book their place sooner.
The UAE, locked on 10 points with Qatar, take on bottom-placed North Korea later on Tuesday. A defeat for the UAE will send Uzbekistan to the finals.
The top two teams go straight to the World Cup, while teams finishing third and fourth in the three Asian groups enter a further round of qualifying.
The qualification campaign continues with the remaining fixtures later this year.
