Iran’s World Cup preparations have been dealt a severe blow as key winger Ali Gholizadeh will miss the tournament due to a serious knee injury sustained while playing for Polish side Lech Poznan. The 30-year-old, who has earned 44 caps and featured in all three of Iran’s matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Lech Poznan’s 1-0 win over Motor Lublin on Saturday. Lech Poznan confirmed in a statement: 'In the coming days, Gholizadeh will have surgery followed by several months of rehabilitation.' The recovery timeline is expected to extend through much of 2026, ruling him out of the tournament entirely.
Gholizadeh’s absence leaves a significant void in Iran’s attacking lineup. He was a creative force on the wing and had just been named player of the month in Poland’s top flight, highlighting his form at the worst possible moment for the national team. Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei now faces the challenge of reshuffling his squad and finding a replacement capable of filling Gholizadeh’s shoes on the world stage.
The injury comes at a tumultuous time for Iranian football. Domestic league play has been suspended since the outbreak of war with Israel in late February, forcing players to maintain fitness through independent training. The national team has reportedly been gathering in Tehran for joint workouts before heading to a training camp in Turkey later this month, prior to their departure for the United States.
Beyond the injury, Iran’s path to the World Cup has been complicated by geopolitical tensions. The United States and FIFA president Gianni Infantino have given the green light for Iran to participate, despite U.S. President Donald Trump initially suggesting it would be inappropriate for the team to compete 'for their own life and safety.' However, Trump later relented, stating, 'You know what, let them play. Gianni is fantastic... you do whatever you want.' Infantino reinforced his support, declaring at FIFA Congress, 'Of course, Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and of course Iran will play in the United States of America. We have to unite people.'
Practical obstacles remain. Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj was turned away at the Canadian border last week while attempting to attend the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, due to his affiliation with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Canada designates a terrorist organization. Iran will meet with FIFA in Switzerland later this month to address logistics surrounding the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19 across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Iran is placed in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. Their opening match is against New Zealand on June 16 in Inglewood, California, just 42 days after the injury announcement. The team will be based at a training camp in Tucson, Arizona, and all three group-stage fixtures are scheduled on the West Coast. Even with a ceasefire in place in the Middle East, tensions remain high over the Strait of Hormuz, casting a shadow over their participation.
Gholizadeh’s injury forces Iran to adjust their tactical approach. His pace and dribbling were expected to be key against strong opponents like Belgium and Egypt. Without him, the team may rely more on set pieces and defensive solidity, but the loss of a player with World Cup experience is a tough pill to swallow. The squad’s depth will now be tested under the glare of global attention.
Despite the setbacks, Iran’s players and staff are determined to compete. The team continues to train and prepare, navigating the unique challenges posed by their geopolitical situation. The upcoming meeting with FIFA will be crucial to ensuring smooth participation. For now, the focus is on reshaping the squad and rallying around the loss of a key star.
Based on reporting from Mirror - Football.
