Iran’s Roozbeh Cheshmi ruled out of World Cup opener with hamstring injury

Published: 2026-06-13 21:41:29 |

Iran’s Roozbeh Cheshmi has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium. The 32-year-old Esteghlal FC captain and defensive midfielder suffered a left hamstring injury during pre-tournament training in Antalya, Turkey, between May 20 and 22. MRI scans confirmed the severity, and despite monitoring his recovery through early June, the hamstring injury could not be resolved in time. It is the second World Cup Cheshmi has missed due to injury. He sat out 2018 in Russia after a separate muscle problem during the buildup. Iran’s Group G match is scheduled for June 15, 2026, against New Zealand in Inglewood, California. The setback highlights the physical toll on players managing club, continental, and international schedules at once. For Cheshmi, it adds to a career previously affected by a major ACL injury.

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