Shahriar Moghanloo #20

Profile

Moghanloo is the most unusual squad member from Iran to the 2026 World Cup. He was not included in Amir Ghalenooei’s initial 30-man list. However, after Roozbeh Cheshmi’s injury scare, he was called up as a replacement – and in the end, even though Cheshmi did not drop out, Moghanloo remained in the final squad. He is a tall striker, and Ghalenooei will probably use him in the final minutes, especially when the team relies on crosses from the wings to attack. Two seasons ago, he was the top scorer in the Iranian league, but he is yet to replicate that brilliance at Kalba. Still, the absence of a strong aerial threat in the initial squad explains Ghalenooei’s selection. Moghanloo is from Zanjan, a city famous for its sharp knives. To earn playing time at the World Cup, he will need to be as sharp as the knives from his hometown.

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