Dennis Eckert Ayensa joins Iran's 2026 World Cup squad via DNA citizenship
In brief
- Eckert obtained Iranian citizenship via DNA test confirming paternal heritage on May 13, 2026
- He adopted the name Dennis Dargahi after securing citizenship and joined Iran's World Cup squad
- Standard Liège forward had no prior senior international caps before Iran selection
Path to Iranian nationality
Eckert received his Iranian passport on May 13, 2026, after the DNA test confirmed his connection to Iran through his father's side. His family ties run deeper: Iranian actress Anahita Dargahi is his aunt, cementing the cultural link. He adopted the name Dennis Dargahi following his naturalization, signaling a formal commitment to his new nation.
Before securing Iranian citizenship, Eckert held both German and Spanish passports. He was born on January 9, 1997, in Germany. Despite never earning a single senior international cap for any country, he qualified for Iran's World Cup squad under FIFA rules that permit representation by any country where a player holds citizenship, provided they haven't played a competitive match for another nation.
Iran's squad composition
In early June, he was officially named to Iran's 26-man squad for the 2026 tournament. The inclusion reflects a broader strategic approach: of the 26 players named to the squad, 17 are home-based, meaning they play in Iran's domestic league. Dargahi's addition brings European club experience into a roster dominated by domestic talent.
His case exemplifies how nations leverage diaspora networks and dual citizenship to build competitive squads. The practice remains within FIFA's regulatory framework and has become increasingly common as federations seek depth ahead of major tournaments.
