WC 2026: Iran announce squad for Kyrgyzstan and UAE qualifiers

Tehran Times – TEHRAN, Iran’s national football team kicked off their training camp in preparation for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The squad, assembled at the Olympic Hotel in Tehran, is set to face off against Kyrgyzstan and the United Arab Emirates in their opening matches.

Coach Amir Ghalenoei has selected a balanced squad that includes both domestic and foreign-based players.

Notably, Sepahan, one of Iran’s top clubs, has contributed the most players to the national team. The inclusion of star players like Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun, and Alireza Jahanbakhsh highlights Iran’s ambition to qualify for the global tournament.

A unique aspect of this squad is the significant number of domestic players, indicating a growing emphasis on homegrown talent. Ghalenoei’s decision to call up a large contingent of Iranian Persian Gulf Pro League (PGPL) players reflects his belief in the capabilities of the domestic league.

The team’s training regime will include a mix of physical conditioning and tactical drills, with a focus on improving the team’s cohesion and attacking play. As the countdown to the qualifiers begins, all eyes will be on Iran to see if they can secure a place in the 2026 World Cup.

Iran’s opponents, Kyrgyzstan and the United Arab Emirates, will provide tough challenges. Both teams have shown improvement in recent years and will be eager to upset the more experienced Iranians.

The matches will be crucial for Iran’s World Cup aspirations. A strong start in the qualifying campaign will boost the team’s confidence and increase their chances of reaching the final tournament.

Match Dates:
• Iran vs. Kyrgyzstan: Thursday, September 5, 2024
• Iran vs. United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Goalkeepers:
• Alireza Beiranvand (Tractor FC)
• Payam Niazmand (Sepahan FC)
• Seyed Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal FC)
• Arsha Shakouri (Havadar FC)

Defenders:
• Amin Hazbavi (Sepahan FC)
• Saleh Hardani (Sepahan FC)
• Shoja Khalilzadeh (TractorC)
• Hossein Kananizadegan (Persepolis FC)
• Abuolfazl Jalali (Esteghlal FC)
• Ali Nemati (Foolad FC)
• Omid Nourafkan (Malavan FC)
• Milad Mohammadi (Persepolis FC)
• Arya Yousefi (Sepahan FC)

Midfielders:
• Mohammad Karimi (Sepahan FC)
• Mehdi Torabi (Tractor FC)
• Saeed Ezatollhai (Shabab Al Ahli , UAE)
• Saman Ghodous (Free Agent)
• Ali Gholizadeh (Lech Poznań, Poland)
• Mohammad Ghorbani (FC Orenburg, Russia)
• Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Free Agent)

Forwards:
• Mehdi Ghaedi (Kalba, UAE)
• Allahyar Sayyadmanesh ( Westerlo, Belgium)
• Mehdi Taremi (Inter Milan, Italy)
• Shahriar Moghanlou (Kalba, UAE)
• Sardar Azmoun (Shabab Al Ahli , UAE)
• Javad Aghaeipour (Sepahan)

Britain's decision to suspend certain arms exports to Israel has reportedly sparked concerns in Washington.

On Monday, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that after a thorough two-month review, the government determined there was a "clear risk" that British-made military equipment could be used to violate international humanitarian law in the Gaza conflict.

As a result, about 30 of the 350 existing export licenses for military components, including parts for aircraft and drones, have been temporarily suspended.

Sources in the White House said they felt let down by the decision, reported said.

"They assured us they wouldn't do this," a government source told British broadcaster ITV's political editor Robert Peston.

A source inside the foreign office informed The Daily Telegraph of London that the US had been informed of the decision before it was announced on Monday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted strongly to Britain's decision, condemning it as "shameful" but asserting that Israel will continue its military campaign against Hamas "with or without British arms."

Lammy emphasized that this move does not constitute a blanket ban or arms embargo.

Instead, it's a precautionary measure to ensure that British arms are not misused in the conflict, he said.

On Monday the billionaire entrepreneur re-posted a post on X, formerly Twitter, by an account called Autism Capital which included a screenshot of a theory that referred to "people who can't defend themselves physically (women and low T men)," suggesting they are "very malleable to brute force manufactured consensus."

The post, from September 1, said that only "high T alpha males and aneurotypical people" are able to question new information, concluding, "This is why a Republic of high status males is best for decision making. Democratic, but a democracy only for those who are free to think."

The screenshot dates back to at least 2021 when it was posted on 4chan. The recent X post was labeled "the Reich effect," presumably in reference to the official name of the German state until the end of World War 2.

Two US soldiers assaulted by nationalist youth group in Turkey, authorities say