UEFA Japan last week became the first non-host nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Iran joined the Samurai Blue on Tuesday. The rest of Asia will have to wait until the final window of third-round qualifiers in June to book tickets — either to the World Cup or a last-chance fourth round.

Iran qualified for the 2026 World Cup after Mehdi Taremi scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan on Tuesday. The Inter Milan striker scored his second goal in the 83rd minute in Tehran, giving Iran the point it needed to qualify to a fourth straight appearance at the World Cup and a seventh overall.

Additionally, Iran’s men’s team has been drawn into Group C, alongside Kazakhstan, the Maldives, and Papua New Guinea. For the fourth straight year, Asia's biggest 3x3 event will be held in the world-famous Singapore, with the eighth edition of the tournament set to be the best one yet.