Who is Alireza Beiranvand? Iran's wall with two Guinness records stuns Belgium
Goalkeepers have already emerged as some of the biggest stars of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Cape Verde’s veteran shot-stopper Vozinha frustrated Spain with a memorable clean-sheet display, while Curaao captain Eloy Room produced a record-breaking performance to deny Ecuador. On Sunday, it was Alireza Beiranvand’s turn to join that growing list.
The Iran goalkeeper delivered a stunning seven-save performance to help his side secure a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Belgium in Group G. While the Red Devils dominated possession and created the better chances, Beiranvand repeatedly came to Iran’s rescue and left Belgium’s attacking stars frustrated in Inglewood.
BELGIUM vs IRAN, FIFA WORLD CUP 2026: HIGHLIGHTS
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The result left both teams on two points after two matches, but much of the post-match conversation centred around the man in goal. For many football fans watching around the world, it was an introduction to one of Asia’s most accomplished goalkeepers.
Belgium finished with seven shots on target and controlled long spells of the contest, yet Beiranvand stood firm throughout. His finest moment came in the closing stages when Maxim De Cuyper looked certain to find the breakthrough. The Iranian goalkeeper reacted brilliantly, diving low to push the effort away before securing the loose ball.
Earlier in the second half, he had already produced one of the saves of the tournament, stretching out an arm while sprawled on the turf to deny another close-range effort from De Cuyper. By the final whistle, Belgium had run out of ideas and Iran had walked away with a valuable point largely because of the man wearing gloves.
WHO IS ALIREZA BEIRANVAND?
Born in Khorramabad County in Iran’s Lorestan Province, Beiranvand’s rise to the top level of football is one of the sport’s most remarkable stories.
The 33-year-old grew up in a Kurdish Lak nomadic family in western Iran’s Zagros Mountains. Far removed from the glamour of elite football, he spent his childhood helping his family before eventually pursuing his dream of becoming a professional player.
That journey eventually led him to the Iran national team, where he established himself as the country’s first-choice goalkeeper and one of Asia’s most dependable performers. Over the years, Beiranvand has built a reputation for his reflexes, composure under pressure and ability to produce big performances on football’s biggest stages.
Against Belgium, all of those qualities were on full display.
He made four saves in the first half as Belgium attempted to turn their possession dominance into goals. As the pressure increased after the break, Beiranvand only seemed to improve. His reflex stop in the 59th minute kept Iran level, while his late save from De Cuyper ultimately preserved the clean sheet.
Iran nearly found a winner themselves. Mehdi Taremi thought he had put his side ahead midway through the first half when a clever set-piece routine beat Thibaut Courtois, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside and encroachment. Taremi also forced several saves from the Belgian goalkeeper, but neither side could find the breakthrough.
WHAT ARE BEIRANVAND’S GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS?
Away from his heroics between the posts, Beiranvand owns a unique place in football history.
The Iranian goalkeeper holds the Guinness World Record for the longest throw ever recorded in football. During a match against South Korea in October 2016, he launched the ball an astonishing 200.14 feet, a feat that remains unmatched.
As if that was not enough, he also holds the record for the longest drop kick in football history at 255.95 feet.
Those achievements have made him famous among goalkeeping enthusiasts, but against Belgium it was not his throwing power that grabbed the headlines. It was his ability to frustrate one of Europe’s most talented teams.
Iran were outpassed 608-269 and managed just 32 per cent possession, yet still walked away with a valuable point because Beiranvand refused to be beaten. As Belgium’s stars grew increasingly desperate, the Iranian goalkeeper produced save after save to keep his country’s World Cup hopes firmly alive.
With a decisive final group-stage clash against Egypt still to come, Iran know they remain in contention for a place in the knockout rounds.
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