vs Prediction, probable lineups, recent form & season stats

Russia have three wins, a draw and a defeat in their last five. The latest was a 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago; before that came a 3-0 win over Burkina Faso and a 0-1 loss at Egypt, and further back a 0-0 draw with Mali and a 3-1 win over Nicaragua. Iran have not lost in their last five: two wins and three draws. They finished with a 1-1 draw at Egypt; before that came a 0-0 draw at Belgium and a 2-2 draw with New Zealand, and further back a 2-0 win over Mali and a 3-1 win over Gambia. Three previous meetings: Russia won 2-1 on 10 October 2025, while the other two, in 2023 and 2017, ended 1-1. The match is played at the Ak Bars Arena in Kazan. The prediction may change in the hours before kick-off. Confirmed line-ups, late injuries, suspensions, rotation ahead of other fixtures and the state of the pitch and the weather can all alter the picture described above. In those cases the selection may be reviewed and updated within 12 to 24 hours of the match: this happens rarely, but when it does, the version published on this page is always the current one. The data and assessments here are provided for information and statistical purposes.