Shoja Khalilzadeh

Shoja Khalilzadeh is a vastly experienced centre-back for IR Iran, a physical defender who plays his club football for Tractor. He is 37 at kick-off and has been named in Amir Ghalenoei's provisional squad for the 2026 finals, which would be his first World Cup if he is in the final 26.

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. Khalilzadeh brings 55 caps, strength and aerial ability to a team that tends to defend deep and counter. With the squad still to be cut to its final list, his place will be settled closer to the tournament, a first World Cup beckoning late in a long career.

Khalilzadeh is a physically strong centre-back whose game is built on aerial duels, positioning and the no-nonsense defending of a long-serving international. He attacks the ball in the air, steps in to challenge, and brings the organisation that comes with a long career in the game. Reading the danger and winning first contact are central to what he offers.

He also carries a threat from set pieces at the other end, with two international goals to his name. In Ghalenoei's 4-2-3-1, a team that sits deep and counters, an experienced centre-back fits the way IR Iran defend.

Khalilzadeh's Goal Rush value starts with box defending, aerial contact and the set-piece threat that comes with two international goals. An IR Iran slot costs £10m, a Tier 4 price within the game's £200m card budget. Their Group G schedule runs through New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt. For a lower-cost team pick, his defensive work is the point, with any added goal threat coming from dead-ball moments across Group G matchdays.