Iran fans endure highs and lows after Egypt draw leaves qualification hopes hanging

TEHRAN: Iranian supporters gathered early on Saturday to watch their national side draw 1-1 with Egypt in Seattle, a result that denied Team Melli a direct place in the World Cup last 32 but kept alive a chance of reaching the knockout stage for the first time.

The draw left Iran third in Group G behind Belgium and Egypt, both of whom secured direct qualification. Iran must now wait on results in other groups to learn whether they can advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Supporters in Tehran followed the match at a packed hall at Book Garden, where Iranian flags were visible alongside portraits of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who, was assassinated in the opening strikes of the Middle East war. Fans reacted intensely throughout the match, cheering tackles and lamenting missed opportunities as the game swung from setback to hope and back again.

Egypt went ahead early through Mahmoud Saber in the fifth minute. Iran had a chance to equalise soon after when Mehdi Taremi won a penalty, but he failed to convert. Ramin Rezaeian then brought Iran level from a tight angle within minutes, reviving the mood among supporters.

Speaking to AFP, 33-year-old car dealer Amin said the performance had been encouraging despite the circumstances surrounding the team before the tournament.

“It was a good game, even though they were unable to prepare properly”, he stated.

He added "I wish they’d played the whole game like the last five minutes"

Iran’s World Cup preparations were affected by the war in the Middle East, which began in late February with US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. The team has also been dealing with significant US visa and travel restrictions during a tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. The 2026 World Cup is described as the first in which a host nation has been at war with one of the participating teams. The conflict led Tehran to retaliate with attacks on Israel and US allies in the region and to blockade the Strait of Hormuz before the United States and Iran signed an agreement earlier this month and began a process aimed at a permanent settlement.

A 16-year-old student, Amir, said the team’s response after conceding had strengthened his confidence.

"I really believe in Team Melli, especially since they didn’t give in after they conceded a goal"

Another supporter, Leyli, 41, told AFP during the half-time interval that Iran had acquitted themselves well in a hard-fought contest.

"The game’s been good. We really didn’t play badly"

The tension rose further in the second half and stoppage time. Shoja Khalilzadeh appeared to have scored a late winner, prompting wild celebrations, but the goal was ruled out. The final whistle, just before 9:00am Tehran time, brought a subdued end to the public screening, with some fans leaving for home and others going straight to work.

Amin said the ending felt painfully familiar.

"It’s become our habit to live with regret. Regret over the final moments, the important ones"

Another supporter, electrical engineer Mahsa Azad, said the outcome did not reflect Iran’s overall display.

"What a game. It’s a pity we didn’t win. They really did their best"

She added:

"It’s football. The odds weren’t in our favour. Otherwise, we deserved to win"

Elsewhere in the group, Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver to finish top of Group G on goal difference ahead of Egypt. That result confirmed Egypt in second place and left Iran in third as they await the outcome of matches in other groups.