Iran the first Asian team to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup™

Monday’s 2-0 win over Uzbekistan secured their place at Russia 2018

This is the fifth qualification to the global finals for Team Melli

Iran became the first team from Asia to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ after a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Monday evening. On Monday, they recorded their second win over Uzbekistan on the road to Russia, with Rostov forward Azmoun first finding the net in the 23rd minute with a right-footed shot from the left of the box following a through ball from Alireza Jahanbaksh. It was Iran's sixth win from eight matches in Group A which took the table-toppers to 20 points, while South Korea are second on 13 ahead of their match against Qatar on Tuesday. Brazil was the first team to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia, and Iran represents the first of four automatic qualifiers from Asia.
In association football, Iran becomes the second team to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after Brazil, and the first Asian side, by defeating Uzbekistan.