Iran Favorite at 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Group E: AFC
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran is the clear favorite to advance from Group E of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
Iran, seeking to qualify for a fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup, will face Hong Kong on Thursday with Turkmenistan hosting Uzbekistan.
Iran's array of stars means Hong Kong will face a stern test of its credentials at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran.
Having suffered heartbreak at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Iran will be determined to qualify for the 2026 edition after having failed to advance from the group stage in all its previous six appearances at the global showpiece.
Hong Kong, however, will not be lacking in confidence after having sealed a return to the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 1968 and having advanced to the semi-finals of the Asian Games for the first time in the recent Hangzhou edition.