Iran’s ‘wall’ Alireza Beiranvand: From surviving Tehran streets to setting Guinness records

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is increasingly being dubbed the “World Cup of goalkeepers” after a series of stunning defensive performances by shot-stoppers throughout the tournament. After Curacao captain Eloy Room, Cape Verde’s Vozinha, and Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad Al-Owais grabbed headlines with heroic displays, Iran’s Alireza Beiranvand has emerged as the latest goalkeeper to steal the spotlight.

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But Beiranvand’s performance against Belgium stands out. The Iranian goalkeeper produced a remarkable seven-save display to help his team secure a goalless draw against a Belgium side ranked No. 9 in the FIFA rankings. His commanding presence, crucial stops and ability to preserve a clean sheet earned him the Player of the Match award.

Beiranvand’s records

Yet, long before becoming a World Cup hero, Beiranvand’s story was already one of football’s most extraordinary journeys.

He is a holder of two Guinness World Records: One for the longest throw in a football match and another for the longest drop kick. In October 2016, during Iran’s match against South Korea, Beiranvand launched the ball an incredible 200.14 feet (61.002 metres), setting a record that still stands. He later added another record for the longest drop kick in football history, measured at 255.95 feet (78.014 metres).

Difficult childhood

Born in 1992 into a nomadic Kurdish Lak family in rural Lorestan, Iran, Beiranvand grew up in extreme poverty. His childhood dream of becoming a footballer was strongly opposed by his father, who wanted him to pursue traditional work and help support the family. At one point, his father even destroyed his football clothes and gloves in an attempt to force him to quit.

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But Beiranvand refused to give up.

As a teenager, he left home and travelled to Tehran to chase his football dream. When he arrived in the capital, he had no place to stay, no money and no contacts. For months, he slept on the streets outside football clubs while searching for an opportunity.

To survive, he took up several odd jobs, including sweeping streets, washing cars, working in a dressmaking factory and preparing dough at a late-night pizza shop.

Journey to national team

His towering 6 feet 4 inches (194 cm) frame eventually caught the attention of coaches. His childhood experience playing “Dalparan”, a local game involving throwing heavy stones over long distances while protecting sheep, also helped develop the powerful throwing ability that later became one of his biggest strengths as a goalkeeper.

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That journey eventually took him to the Iranian national team, where he became the country’s first-choice goalkeeper and one of Asia’s most reliable performers. He has made more than 80 international appearances and has featured in multiple major tournaments, including the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.

Overnight star

Beiranvand became a global name during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

In Iran’s group-stage match against Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to take a penalty in the 53rd minute. With one of football’s greatest players standing in front of him, Beiranvand stayed calm, read Ronaldo’s movement and dived sharply to his left to make a stunning save.

That stop helped Iran secure a historic 1-1 draw and turned Beiranvand into an international sensation.

2026 feat

His 2026 World Cup journey has come amid difficult circumstances for Iran. Due to geopolitical tensions and visa-related challenges, the team could not establish a traditional base camp inside the United States and instead set up operations across the border in Mexico.

Despite the off-field challenges, Iran have remained competitive, keeping their knockout-stage hopes alive with two points from two matches.

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Against Belgium, Beiranvand once again showed why he is regarded as one of the world’s most resilient goalkeepers. His finest moment came late in the match when Belgium’s Maxim De Cuyper appeared certain to break the deadlock. Beiranvand reacted instantly, diving low to push away the effort before gathering the loose ball.

From sleeping on Tehran’s streets to saving shots on football’s biggest stage, Alireza Beiranvand’s journey remains one of the most remarkable stories of the World Cup.