Iran adds Germany-born forward Dennis Dargahi to 2026 World Cup squad after granting citizenship

Dennis Dargahi, born Dennis Eckert in Germany, was added to Iran's 2026 World Cup squad after receiving an Iranian passport in May. The 29-year-old forward for Standard Liege has not yet made his debut for the national team. Dargahi's paternal grandfather was Iranian.

His father traveled to Tehran to provide a sample that was matched against DNA from Anahita Dargahi, an Iranian television and film star who is Dargahi's aunt. Anahita Dargahi assisted with documents for the citizenship application.

Iranian authorities issued the passport in May, after which Dargahi changed his surname and was called into the squad. Dargahi previously represented Germany at under-19 level.

He told the Gol Bezan podcast that he does not speak Farsi. "Anahita posted one time a picture with me and my family, wishing us a Merry Christmas or Happy New Year, something like that," Dargahi said. "Anahita helped me so much, with documents and everything.

" "I didn't think it would happen," he added. "We tried to figure it out, and then contact with the Iranian FA went away. I'm not sure that it was easy to make it happen. But I would love to play in World Cup.

Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in its opening group-stage match. The team is scheduled to face Belgium in Group G in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 21. Sardar Azmoun was omitted from the squad. Iran's participation had been uncertain after conflict began in the Gulf in February 2026.

Of the 1,248 players at the 2026 World Cup, 288 qualify through ancestry or naturalization. Six members of the United States squad were born outside the country, including Gio Reyna in England and Sergiño Dest in the Netherlands. Curaçao's squad of 26 includes only one player born on the island.