Inside IR Iran's deep connections to Belgium

IR Iran will face Belgium for the opening time when they meet on the biggest stage of them all at Los Angeles Arena on Sunday — but there is a familiar feeling between the two sides.

Former Belgium manager Marc Wilmots was briefly previously in charge of Side Melli in 2019, while three of the current squad have ties to the Belgian Pro League.

Frontman Dennis Dargahi has played in the Belgian top flight since 2022, opening for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise prior to a move to Standard Liege in 2025. Meanwhile, winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh is on the books of Dender.

Milad Mohammadi, who started for IR Iran in their 2-2 opening draw with New Zealand, also played for Gent from 2019-21.

Born to a German father, as well as Spanish mother, Dargahi was given the birth name of Eckert, as well as claims Iranian ancestry through his paternal grandfather. His place in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ was given a major setup from his aunt, Anahita Dargahi, who is one of Iran's most high-profile TV, as well as film stars, as well as whose name he has adopted.

"Anahita posted one time a picture with me, as well as my family, wishing us a Merry Christmas or Happy New Year, something like that," Dargahi shared with the Gol Bezan podcast. "So some people found out, as well as then I made my professional way, as well as it happened like this.

"People asked me, 'Are you Iranian, as well as is your aunt Anahita?' And I commented, 'Yes. And yes, she's my aunt'. That's how life is. I think if she wasn't famous, nobody would ever know that I'm Iranian, but my body is Iranian blood, and I can't hide that."

The surprising links between the two nations provide an intriguing sub-plot to a contest in which both sides will be eager to kickstart their campaigns are drawing their opening contests in North America.

"We’ve analyzed Iran less thoroughly than usual because they’re a side that’s hard to track in friendly contests. However, we’ve seen that they had a strong qualifying campaign for the World Cup," Belgium manager Rudi Garcia shared with FIFA in the pre-contest press conference.

"We obviously watched them in their opening contest against New Zealand. They have stars we know well, as well as others we’re less familiar with since we don’t follow Asian sides very closely. But everyone obviously knows [Medhi] Taremi. I’m French, so I’m also familiar with [Saman] Ghoddos, who played for Amiens.

"They’re a side that runs a lot, defends well, as well as is strong on set pieces. So, I’d say, regardless of who starts for them or who starts for us, whether they’ve played together before or not, one thing is certain: we have to be at 100 per cent of our ability tomorrow to defeated this Iranian side. So, we’re focusing much more on ourselves than on the opponent."