Iran

Inter Milan forward Mehdi Taremi will not be able to join his teammates at the Club World Cup in the United States as he is stuck in Tehran amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

Are Ayase Ueda and Japan are poised to take the 2026 World Cup by storm? ESPN tackles that, and Asia's other big talking points from the latest round of qualifiers.

Australia, Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Oman are all still looking to keep their World Cup dream alive on Tuesday.

After matchday eight of Asia's World Cup qualifiers, ESPN's writers answer the burning questions, provide analysis and break down the biggest performances across the continent.

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF IRAN AND UZBEKISTAN DRAWING 2-2 IN THE THIRD ROUND OF ASIAN QUALIFYING FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP

Iran qualified for the 2026 World Cup after Mehdi Taremi scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

Who will win the 2026 World Cup? A team stacked with talent, surely. We've devised a way to rank countries by the talent in their squads.

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF IRAN BEATING THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 2-0 IN SOCCER WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has offered "heartfelt gratitude" to Iranian authorities for allowing tens of thousands of female fans to attend a top-flight soccer match between Sepahan and Persepolis this week.

France brushed off allegations of match-fixing after their 4-1 defeat by Iran sent them into a softer part of the draw at the Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan.