Mehdi Taremi

Mehdi Taremi is IR Iran's captain and main goal threat, a prolific centre-forward with 59 goals in 103 internationals. The Olympiacos striker is 33 at kick-off and has been named in Amir Ghalenoei's provisional squad as the focal point of the attack for the 2026 finals.

IR Iran qualified as winners of their Asian group on 25 March 2025 and are drawn with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G, opening against New Zealand on 15 June. Taremi leads the line and takes penalties for his country, and his scoring record makes him the player IR Iran lean on for goals. With the final 26 still to be confirmed, the captain is central to how Ghalenoei's side will attack.

Taremi is a complete centre-forward, with clinical finishing and a prolific scoring record as the core of his game. He leads the line, runs the channels, and can drop deep to link play and bring others in, the kind of all-round striker who offers more than just a finish. Penalties are part of his brief as captain, and his 59 international goals speak to a striker who delivers.

In Ghalenoei's 4-2-3-1, a side that sits deep and counters, Taremi is the outlet the team plays towards, the focal point when IR Iran break forward.

With 59 goals in 103 caps, Taremi is the player who turns IR Iran's £10m slot into a real scoring threat, the captain and main finisher in Ghalenoei's side. IR Iran are valued in Tier 4, that £10m slot sitting within the game's £200m card budget as a budget option rather than a top-band one. Group G pits them against Egypt, Belgium and New Zealand. For a budget team, a proven scorer who also takes penalties is the obvious route to goals.