Iran
Iran - Group F (Argentina, Bosnia, Nigeria)
Although a strong performer at Asian level, Iran could never turn that accomplishment into international success. They were frequently hindered by political reasons such as war, protests, withdrawals and disqualifications. Iran is currently the top ranked Asian nation at the World Cup
Profile - The National Team
Iran has won multiple championships at Asian level and is renowned for its passionate fan base. The current national coach Queiroz set a new trend of including foreign-based Iranian players to strengthen the team
Iranians tend to rely too much on set pieces to score goals while the defense lets too many from the set pieces. Their defense looks comfortable defending long range efforts though
Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI)
Confederation: AFC (Asia)
Coach: Carlos Queiroz (MOZ)
FIFA Ranking: 37 (8-May-2014)
Nickname: Team Melli (The National Team)
Key Players: Nekounam, Shojaei, Dejagah
Legends: Karimi, Majidi, Daei
History - The Persian Stars
Although they failed to liven up the World Cup stage in the three previous occasions they featured, Iran has been the Champions of Asia thrice. They also won three Asian Games Gold Medals. Their inability to score in the World Cup had been their biggest areas of concern
Qualification - The Iranian Lions
Having comfortably won in the earlier rounds of the Asian qualifiers, Iran were placed in Group A of the fourth round and finished on top with two defeats and a draw out of ten matches. They continued their form to also qualify for the nest Asian Cup to be held in early 2015
Prospects - Another Early Exit
Having been placed in the tough Group F in the first round, Iran faces the prospect of familiar early exit. Nigeria is one team that would be match for Iran in the group as each others styles of play assisting the opponent
Squad
Goalkeepers:
Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig), Alireza Haghighi (Sporting Covilha), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan Isfahan)
Defenders:
Khosro Heidari (Esteghlal), Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir Hossein Sadeghi (Esteghlal), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft), Hashem Beikzadeh (Esteghlal), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan Isfahan), Mehrdad Pooladi (Persepolis)
Midfielders:
Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Ghasem Hadadifar (Zob Ahan Isfahan), Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad Khuzestan)
Strikers:
Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham FC), Masoud Shojaei (UD Las Palmas), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC Nijmegen), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Atheltic), Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi Tabriz)
May 6: Coach Carlos Queiroz announced a 28-man provisional squad for the World Cup
*Sosha Makani carries a suspension from qualifiers and will miss the first group game against Nigeria
Fixtures
Argentina vs Iran on June 21 at Belo Horozonte
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