Iran's Coach Celebrates Resilience After Draw with Belgium at FIFA World Cup 2026
Iran's Hard-Earned Draw Against Belgium
Los Angeles (California) [US], June 22: Amir Ghalenoei, the head coach of Iran, praised his players' determination following their challenging goalless draw with Belgium during the FIFA World Cup 2026. He emphasized the tough recovery process ahead as Team Melli prepares for a critical final Group G match against Egypt.
The Iranian squad secured a crucial point against Belgium, ranked 10th in the world, at SoFi Stadium, with goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand shining in his role, effectively thwarting the Belgian offense. This result came after Iran's 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opening game, placing them second in the group and in a strong position for advancement to the Round of 32.
In a post-match interview with an Iranian news outlet, Ghalenoei reflected on the significant hurdles his team has encountered in recent months.
“Before addressing your question, I want to highlight the past six months; we were in a state of war, and our league was suspended. We traveled for 40 hours to compete in another country,” he stated.
The coach noted that issues such as visa delays, travel interruptions, and inadequate match preparation had hindered their World Cup preparations.
“We entered the World Cup under the worst possible circumstances, and I want the world to be aware of this,” Ghalenoei remarked.
Despite these challenges, he expressed confidence in Iran's ability to defeat Belgium.
“We witnessed a remarkable match against the 10th-ranked team globally. They had exceptional players and a skilled coach. Both teams had opportunities to win,” he added.
“Achieving a draw in two consecutive matches under such conditions is a significant accomplishment. We arrived at the venue with less than 16 hours to prepare, and this will be remembered in history, showcasing the greatness of our players,” he continued.
During the match, Iran nearly scored and created two clear chances, both of which were saved by Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Belgium faced a setback when Nathan Ngoy was sent off in the second half.
Ghalenoei commended Beiranvand for his impressive performance, which earned him the Superior Player of the Match title.
“He is one of the most respected goalkeepers in Iranian history, known for his intelligence and experience, and today was one of his standout performances,” the coach noted.
Looking ahead, the focus shifts to Saturday's pivotal match against Egypt in Seattle, where Iran still has a chance for qualification.
“We need to travel immediately, which is exhausting. We won’t have time to recover,” Ghalenoei said. “We must prepare a special strategy against Egypt, who have talented players similar to Belgium. Recovery is our top priority now.”
He further commented, “No team in the world undertakes two trips in 16 hours. The conditions are incredibly challenging for us. Our players truly sacrifice and give their all on the field, and history will remember them as great.”
After the match, Iran's players left a heartfelt handwritten note in the SoFi Stadium dressing room, expressing gratitude to their supporters and pride in representing their country.
With two points from two matches, Iran understands that a favorable outcome against group leaders Egypt could lead to a historic advancement into the knockout stages.