Scenarios: The Iranian national team qualifies for the round of 32 after a draw with Belgium sports

The Iranian national team has a strong chance to qualify for the round of 32 in the World Cup in 2026, as it currently occupies second place in Group G with two points. But the task will not be easy.

Iran tied 0-0 with Belgium in the second round of the World Cup group stage yesterday, Sunday.

Current Group Seven standings

1- Egypt: 4 points (goal difference: +2)

2- Iran: 2 points (goal difference: 0)

3- Belgium: 2 points (goal difference: 0)

4- New Zealand: 1 point (goal difference: -2)

Scenarios for Iran’s qualification in the final round against Egypt

1. If it wins over Egypt

• Direct qualification: The Iranian national team officially guarantees qualification to the round of 32 with 5 points.
• Top of the group: If Iran wins over Egypt, and Belgium wins over New Zealand, the goal difference between Iran and Belgium will be used to determine the group leader. If Belgium draws or loses, Iran will qualify as leader of Group G with 5 points.

2. If it draws with Egypt

• Waiting for the result of the other match: Iran will reach 3 points, and here its direct qualification in second place depends on the meeting between Belgium and New Zealand.
• If Belgium draws with New Zealand: Iran and Belgium will be tied on 3 points each, and second qualifying place will be decided directly by details of total goal difference, then goals scored (Iran currently has a 2-goal advantage compared to Belgium’s 1 goal).
• If New Zealand wins: New Zealand qualifies again with 4 points, and Iran drops to third place with 3 points.
• If Belgium wins: Belgium qualifies again with 5 points, and Iran drops to third place with 3 points.
• Qualification as best of three: If Iran drops to third place with 3 points, it will have a strong chance of qualifying among the top 8 teams that achieve third place out of the 12 groups.

3. If you lose to Egypt

• Staying in third place: Iran will stop at two points, and will lose the opportunity to directly qualify (first or second place).
• Complex calculations for the thirds: If Iran loses and Belgium wins or draws, Iran will finish third with two points, and will have very little chance of qualifying as the best of the thirds. However, if Iran loses by a large goal difference and New Zealand wins by a wide score, Iran may fall to fourth place and officially exit the tournament.

32 out of 48 teams will qualify for the first qualifying round in the 2026 World Cup.

24 cards are decided directly, with the first and second places qualifying for each of the 12 groups. The remaining eight cards go to the best teams that occupy third place in their groups.

In other words, third place no longer means automatic exit, as was the case in previous versions. Third place might be an additional path to the playoffs, but it’s not a guaranteed ticket.

If two teams are tied on points, then:

• Number of points in direct confrontations.
• Goal difference in direct confrontations.
• Number of goals in direct confrontations.
• Goal difference in all group matches.
• Number of goals in all group matches.
• Fair play arrangement (yellow card: 1 point, second yellow card – indirect red: 3 points, direct red card: 4 points, yellow then direct red: 5 points).
• The team’s ranking in the latest FIFA classification.