Mar 25, 2025, 02:28 PM ET
Iran certified for the 2026 International Cup after Mehdi Taremi scored two times in a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan on Tuesday.
The Inter Milan striker scored his 2nd purpose within the 83rd minute in Tehran, giving Iran the purpose it had to qualify to a fourth directly look on the International Cup and a 7th total.
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The 48-team event will likely be hosted through the US, Canada and Mexico.
Uzbekistan, 3 issues in the back of Iran in Workforce A, would have certified for the primary time with a victory and two times took the lead on the Azadi Stadium.
Khojimat Erkinov struck after 16 mins however Taremi put Iran again on degree phrases seven mins into the second one 1/2 through firing an unstoppable volley into the roof of the web from the brink of the realm.
In an instant, Abbosbek Fayzullaev restored Uzbekistan’s lead however, Taremi replied, this time from shut vary, to ship Iran to the International Cup the place it is going to try to development previous the crowd phases for the primary time.
The highest two from each and every of the 3 teams of six in Asia are assured a spot, whilst the groups that end 1/3 and fourth will advance to an additional degree to compete for 2 extra puts.
3rd-placed United Arab Emirates defeated backside staff North Korea 2-1 to transport 4 issues in the back of Uzbekistan whilst Asian champion Qatar is out of the working for computerized qualification after a 3-1 loss in Kyrgyzstan.
Iran celebrates right through its draw with Uzbekistan that sealed qualification for the 2026 International Cup. AFP by means of Getty Pictures
Previous, Australia took a large step towards securing a place at event with a 2-0 win over China in Hangzhou on Tuesday that still ended the hosts’ hopes of computerized qualification.
First-half objectives from Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay had been sufficient for the Socceroos. With two video games in Workforce C closing within the 1/3 spherical, Australia is 3 issues transparent of third-placed Saudi Arabia, which drew 0-0 at already-qualified Japan.
Irvine, who scored two times within the 5-1 win over Indonesia on Thursday, wanted simply 16 mins to make room inside of a crowded space to twist house a shot into the nook.
To make issues worse for China, 13 mins later goalkeeper Wang Dalei spilled a tame shot from Velupillay which then rolled over the road.
China has but to go back to the International Cup since its 2002 debut and stays backside of the crowd.
Saudi Arabia remains to be searching for a 7th look after a struggling with goalless attract Japan. The hosts ruled at Saitama Stadium however had been not able to get the leap forward.
South Korea drops issues once more In Workforce B, South Korea stayed best however dropped two issues for the second one time inside of per week, drawing 1-1 at house to Jordán.
South Korea wanted simply six mins to take the lead when Lee Jae-sung arrived overdue to divert Son Heung-min’s nook into the web from shut vary.
A win would have put the Koreans getting ready to an eleventh successive look however Jordan was once degree at the 1/2 hour. Mahmoud Al-Mardi pounced at the free ball to shoot house, despite the fact that the shot was once deflected off a Korean defender.
South Korea has 16 issues, 3 greater than Jordan. Iraq, in motion in opposition to the Palestinian staff later, is in 1/3 with 12 issues.
