Qolizadeh dazzles in Polish league to give Iran World Cup boost
As Iran prepares for the upcoming FIFA World Cup – starting June 11 in North America – Ali Qolizadeh, one of Team Melli’s most dynamic attacking players, is heading into the showpiece with an eye-catching statistical record in the Polish top flight.
The wizard winger, who plays for Lech Poznań, has once again turned heads in the Polish Ekstraklasa. The creative playmaker has been one of his team’s most influential figures this season, much like the previous campaign, with his consistent displays drawing praise from the club’s official media outlets.
The 30-year-old scored with a trademark left-footed curling effort from the edge of the box three minutes into the game at the Poznań Stadium to lead his team to a 4-0 victory over Legia Warszawa on Sunday, helping the club sit atop the league table with 52 points – three clear of Górnik Zabrze in second – with four games remaining.
Qolizadeh has made 17 appearances for Lech Poznań this season, scoring four goals and providing four assists – numbers that underscore his direct contribution to the team’s results. However, the most remarkable aspect of his performance goes beyond goals and assists.
According to published statistics, the Iranian winger has registered 36 key passes in the 2026 calendar year. That impressive figure confirms his status as one of the club’s primary attacking architects. Key passes – which create genuine goal-scoring opportunities – are a critical metric in evaluating offensive output, and such a tally cements Qolizadeh’s role as his team’s creative engine.
Qolizadeh’s sparkling form matters not only for his Polish club but also bodes well for the Iranian national team and head coach Amir Qalenoei, who is eager to lead Team Melli to a maiden knockout spot in seven attempts at the World Cup.
Iran will kick off its Group G campaign in the United States against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 15, before facing European heavyweight Belgium at the same venue six days later.
With eight third-placed teams across the 12 groups advancing to the round of 32, Iran will fancy its chances of making World Cup history when taking on Egypt in the final group game at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on June 26.