Why it matters:

This marks the first World Cup with 48 teams, making it the largest and most diverse tournament in football history. Iran’s group is considered less daunting compared to other heavyweight pools, giving Amir Ghalenoei’s squad a realistic chance to advance.

The big picture:

42 nations have already qualified.

Six remaining spots will be decided in the March playoffs.

The group stage will feature 12 groups of four teams.

The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, move on.

The next round will consist of eight groups of four, with two advancing to the knockouts.

Between the lines:

• Belgium enters as the clear favorite.
• Egypt brings African resilience and flair.
• New Zealand adds Oceania’s competitive edge.
• Iran must show discipline and consistency to secure knockout-stage qualification.

What’s next:

Iran will prepare for a historic tournament format, aiming to leverage its relatively favorable draw to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in its history.