This paper considers the near-optimal tracking control problem for discrete-time systems with delayed input. Using a variable transformation, the system with delayed input is transformed into a non-delayed system, and the quadratic performance index of the optimal tracking control is transformed into a relevant format. The optimal tracking control law is constructed by the solution of a Riccati matrix equation and a Stein matrix equation. A reduced-order observer is constructed to solve the physically realizable problem of the feedforward compensator and a near-optimal tracking control is obtained. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the optimal tracking control law.