Another World Cup record broken - and it's an unusual one

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Iran made World Cup history during their 0-0 draw against Belgium on Sunday evening by naming the oldest starting XI since records began in 1966.

Amir Ghalenoei’s side have had a torrid preparation for the tournament, due to the country’s ongoing conflict with co-hosts USA, but they have an excellent chance of qualifying for the knockout stages after picking up two points from their opening two fixtures versus New Zealand and Belgium.

Egypt await in their final group stage match on Saturday, with a win guaranteed to send Iran through to the round of 32, while a draw could be enough if Belgium fail to beat New Zealand.

Iran secured a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their first fixture of the 2026 World Cup, with Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammed Mohebi on the scoresheet, while they held group favourites Belgium, who went down to 10 men, to a goalless draw on Sunday.

Against Rudi Garcia’s side, Iran set a new record for the oldest starting line-up since World Cup records began in 1966.

Their average age was a whopping 32 years and 181 days old, beating Germany’s record of 31 years and 335 days old - which incidentally came against Iran at the 1998 World Cup.

27-year-old Saleh Hardani was the youngest player in Iran’s starting XI versus Belgium, while there were seven players aged 30 or above, including 37-year-old defender Shoja Khalilzadeh and 33-year-old talisman Mehdi Taremi.

Iran coach criticises fellow managers

Speaking ahead of his side’s 0-0 draw against Belgium, Ghalenoei took aim at the other managers at the tournament, who have refused to offer him support.

“We have many challenges, especially off the pitch,” he said. “I asked the 47 other coaches a question and none of them have responded to me.”

When asked if felt supported by the other World Cup nations, Ghalenoei added: “No, I have not seen [that]. I have not had any reaction from anyone. But it seems like the honourable coach of Belgium [Rudi Garcia] said [in his press conference] we are here for football and not politics.

“Our grievances are to do with the way they [World Cup organisers] have behaved towards us. I’ve not heard from other coaches, they are busy with their own teams, and we did not receive anything. I would have done [it].”

Iran were forced to move their training base from Tucson in Arizona to Tijuana in Mexico due to geopolitical tensions with the USA, while the squad has been banned from staying overnight in the United States, meaning they have been forced to travel across the border for every match.