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Uzbekistan and Iran return to action in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when they lock horns at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Thursday. Amir Ghalenoei’s men are unbeaten in their last nine games against the hosts and will look to extend this dominant run.
Uzbekistan made it two wins from two games in the third qualifying round of the World Cup on September 10 when they fought back from going behind twice to secure a 3-2 victory over Kyrgyzstan.
Srečko Katanec’s side have now gone six straight games without defeat across all competitions, picking up five wins and one draw since a penalty-shootout defeat against Qatar in the AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals back in February.
Next up for Uzbekistan is the stern challenge of taking on an opposing side who they have failed to get the better of in their last nine meetings since November 2012.
Like the hosts, Iran maintained their perfect start to the third qualifying round last time out when they picked up a 1-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
Ghalenoei’s men have won all but one of their last six matches — scoring 12 goals and keeping five clean sheets — with a goalless draw against Uzbekistan on June 11 being the exception.
Iran have picked up six points from the first six available to sit second in Group A of the qualifiers, level on points with Uzbekistan at the top of the pile.
Uzbekistan vs Iran Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- Iran have been utterly dominant in the history of this fixture, having won 10 of the last 14 meetings between the two nations.
- Uzbekistan have picked up just one win in that time, which came in November 2012, when they beat Ghalenoei’s men 1-0 in the World Cup qualifiers, while two games have ended all square.
- Iran are on a nine-match unbeaten run against Katanec’s men, claiming seven wins and two draws since their narrow defeat in November 2012.
- Uzbekistan have gone eight straight World Cup qualifying games without defeat, picking up six wins and two draws since November 2023.
Uzbekistan vs Iran Prediction
Uzbekistan and Iran are on a strong run of results and will both be looking to pull three points clear at the top of Group A. However, Iran boast the firepower needed to get the job done and we are backing them to extend their dominance over the home side.
Prediction: Uzbekistan 1-2 Iran
Uzbekistan vs Iran Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Iran to win
Tip 2: First to score - Iran (The visitors have opened the scoring in eight of their last nine games against Uzbekistan)
Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards - No (There have also been fewer than five bookings in eight of their last 10 clashes)
