Iran held Belgium to a 0‑0 draw at SoFi Stadium amid travel setbacks and tight schedules. Coach Amir Ghalenoei praised the team’s “beautiful game” despite visa snags, compressed preparation, and a flight back to Mexico the same night. The result keeps Iran alive with two points from two matches in Group G, showing resilience under pressure and as a sign of stamina.

Ghalenoei highlighted the strain of two 16‑hour flights and limited recovery time, noting that the squad’s stamina and character shone through. He commended goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand for critical saves, including a second‑half stop that denied Kevin De Bruyne a goal. The defensive solidity earned Iran a valuable point against FIFA’s 10th‑ranked side in the tough group early stage competition.

Both Ghalenoei and winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh stressed the need for rest before the next clash with Egypt on June 26 at Lumen Field. They cited travel fatigue and the city’s distance from Tijuana as key challenges. With a knockout spot on the line, Iran’s focus shifts to maximizing recovery and defensive sharpness in Seattle for their historic World Cup campaign this.