New Zealand, Argentina and Iran drive to the 2026 World Cup – Diepresse.com
Even without Lionel Messi, the Albiceleste can shine, the 4: 1 against Brazil secures participation in the 2026 World Cup in the USA. Iran also celebrates the « Kiwis » with him.
The football world champion Argentina, which was already qualified for the 2026 World Cup before the game, has clearly beat Brazil’s record title. The team of national coach Lionel Scaloni showed a convincing performance in the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires and won the South American Prestiged duel against Seleção with 4: 1 (3: 1). Iran also loosened the ticket for the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico with a 2: 2 (0: 1) against Uzbekistan.
The host took the lead in the 4th minute with a goal from Julián Álvarez. In the 12th minute, Enzo Fernández increased to 2-0. Matheus Cunha shortened to the guests in the 26th minute to 2: 1 before Alexis Mac Allister scored 3-1 in the 37th minute. Giuliano Simeone finally scored 4-1 for the Argentine national team in the 71st minute.
Messi and Neymar were missing
The Brazilians recently succeeded in winning in Argentina 16 years ago. The last game to date between the two large South American teams won Argentina 1-0 in the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in November 2023. At the meeting in Buenos Aires, both teams now had to do without their respective superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Argentina had already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico before the classic against Brazil. Due to the 0: 0 between Bolivia and Uruguay a few hours before the kick-off, the Albiceleste was no longer suppressed by one of the first six places that entitle the World Cup participation. Argentina will be there for the 19th time in the association’s history at a World Cup and has qualified for every tournament since 1974.
Iran also qualified
Iran is also included in the World Cup, and for the seventh time. The FIFA world ranking 18. A 2: 2 (0: 1) against Uzbekistan in Tehran was enough to solve the ticket. The team of coach Amir Ghalenoei can no longer be replaced by one of the first two places in group A of the Asia qualification in the remaining two rounds.
Inter-Miland striker Mehdi Taremi equalized the second-placed Uzbeken twice. The chances of Uzbekistan on a World Cup debut are still good. For the World Cup with 48 teams, Japan had already qualified as the first teams in the Asia qualification and New Zealand in the Oceania zone. The three hosts USA, Canada and Mexico are set.
On Monday, New Zealand solved the World Cup ticket with the 3-0 against New Caledonia.
