The Brazilians are in West Africa as they continue their quest to lift the continental trophy for the first time since 2016. After finishing as losing finalists in this competition last season, they are determined to go one step further this time around. With that painful memory still fresh, they are pushing hard to turn last year’s disappointment into continental glory.
The Masandawana star is starting to play week in and week out again after he was sidelined by a lengthy injury before. The few minutes he has been given by the Downs' technical bench saw the attacking midfielder return to the national team fold. The big concern now is whether the 36-year-old will be fit beyond the season and play in the World Cup finals.
The Masandawana mentor has issued a stern warning to his squad, insisting that their three-goal advantage is no guarantee of safety in the Champions League. Despite a dominant first-leg display, Cardoso remains wary of the unpredictable nature of continental knockout football as they head into a challenging atmosphere in Bamako.
South Africa has been leaking at the back in recent outings, especially in the concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco. With the global competitions about three months away, the Belgian tactician has been advised to consider an experienced defender who is currently struggling with fitness.
The duo made the move from Gauteng to the Cape Winelands outfit during the January transfer window in pursuit of regular minutes, and have since settled into Gavin Hunt’s setup. Tiwane, in particular, has established himself as a key figure at the heart of the defence. Addressing their long-term prospects, CEO Rob Benadie has since commented on the club’s interest.
The Masandawana skipper has battled serious injuries in the recent past, and given his advanced age, there were fears that he might not fully recover. The 36-year-old last played for the national team in 2024, and he has a chance of wearing the national team colours again this month. South Africa coach has expressed his delight that the playmaker is back after being sidelined for a very long time.
Supporters have a number of opportunities to purchase tickets for matches involving Iran, via the FIFA website, between now and the big kick-off in June. The various sales phases differ in terms of purchasing processes, payment methods and ticket products.
To buy tickets, you must visit the official FIFA ticketing portal and register for an account. You can then log in to your FIFA account and check out ticket availability.
Can I buy Iran World Cup 2026 resale tickets?
If you are looking for an official and secure way to resell/exchange your FIFA World Cup 26 tickets, the FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace is the official channel for doing so. The Marketplace opened in October and be accessed via FIFA.com/tickets.
FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets will also be available from secondary resellers, such as StubHub and Ticombo.
Will there be an opportunity to purchase Iran World Cup 2026 tickets directly at the stadium?
No, tickets will not be available for purchase at the stadiums during FIFA World Cup 2026. There will be no over-the-counter ticket sales. FIFA.com/tickets is the official portal for purchasing tickets.
Who has scored the most goals for Iran at World Cup Finals?
Iran’s heavy 6-2 loss to England in their opener at the 2022 World Cup was a bitter pill to swallow, but Mehdi Taremi's consolation double strike meant that he became Iran’s top World Cup scorer of all-time. The Olympiacos striker will be hoping to add to his tally further in North America. In terms of World Cup appearances, Ehsan Hajsafi tops Iran's standings with 9 caps, after playing in all his side's matches at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments.