World Cup
Iran faces Belgium with tactical shift and defensive concerns
Tomorrow’s World Cup opener pits Belgium against Iran, with the Asian side arriving amid unprecedented off-field turmoil. The Team Melli’s participation hung in the balance until their brief, tightly controlled entries into the United States, yet their opening 2-2 draw with New Zealand offered a glimpse of what to expect.
The match against New Zealand exposed defensive vulnerabilities, with Iran’s backline repeatedly compromised yet rescued by late responses. Against Belgium, whose attacking firepower remains unmatched, those gaps could prove fatal. The Red Devils’ opening fixture against the same opponents ended in a 2-2 draw, staged just hours before Iran’s own encounter.
Amir Ghalenoei, the former midfielder turned head coach, has oscillated between formations in preparation. Days before deploying a 4-4-2 against Costa Rica, he fielded a 3-6-1 system in the warm-up clash with Nigeria, explicitly labelled as the ‘Plan B defensive’ blueprint for tomorrow’s game.
Despite the cautious approach, Iran cannot be dismissed. Ranked 21st in the FIFA rankings, the side secured 14 wins from 18 qualifiers, boasting a goal difference of 49-8. Their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance underscores a core of experienced players, including Alireza Beiranvand in goal, captain Shojae Khalilzadeh in defence, Saeid Ezatolahi in midfield and Mehdi Taremi leading the attack.
Taremi, formerly of Porto and Inter Milan, remains Iran’s focal point up front despite the absence of Sardar Azmoun. The striker’s ability to exploit defensive transitions poses a direct threat to Belgium’s backline. Milad Mohammadi and Ramin Rezaeian, both Pro League alumni, provide additional width, while Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Dennis Ayensa began the tournament on the bench.
Ghalenoei’s squad blends technical profiles with resilience forged during qualification. “We faced many difficulties recently, but the players gave everything and made sacrifices,” he said. “They worked tirelessly during qualifiers and made countless sacrifices. It is my duty to thank them. They can achieve something exceptional at this World Cup. They have the technical potential to make this tournament unforgettable.”
The Belgian press has framed Iran as a cautious but dangerous opponent. Ghalenoei’s tactical pivot reflects awareness of Belgium’s attacking class, yet the Asian side’s defensive record remains a concern. With Belgium’s attacking trio expected to test Iran’s reshaped back three, the margin for error is slim.
Belgium’s World Cup campaign begins against Iran at 21:00 CET on 21 June, live on Walfoot.be.
The match carries added significance for Beiranvand, who previously played for Belgian club KV Oostende, and for Taremi, whose club career includes spells at Porto and Inter Milan.