Iran
Manager: Amir Ghalenoei
Overview
Iran are the most successful Asian footballing nation in terms of World Cup appearances, with Team Melli known for their disciplined defensive organization and ability to compete against higher-ranked opponents. Iranian football produces technically skilled players, many of whom compete in the Persian Gulf leagues and increasingly in European football. Iran's style is pragmatic and well-organized, built on a compact defensive shape that frustrates opponents and allows for effective counter-attacks. Their matches at World Cups have often been tight, tactical affairs where Iran's discipline and concentration give them a genuine chance of causing upsets.
Squad
26 playersGoalkeepers3
Alireza Beiranvand
Tractor
Payam Niazmand
Persepolis
Hossein Hosseini
Sepahan
Defenders9
Saleh Hardani
Esteghlal
Shojae Khalilzadeh
Tractor
Milad Mohammadi
Persepolis
Arya Yousefi
Sepahan
Ramin Rezaeian
Foolad
Ali Nemati
Foolad
Danial Eiri
Malavan
Mohammad Hossein Kanaanizadegan
Persepolis
Ehsan Hajsafi
Sepahan
Midfielders6
Saeid Ezatolahi
Shabab Al-Ahli
Saman Ghoddos
Ittihad Kalba
Rouzbeh Cheshmi
Esteghlal
Mohammad Ghorbani
Al-Wahda
Amirmohammad Razzaghinia
Esteghlal
Mehdi Torabi
Tractor
Forwards8
Alireza Jahanbakhsh
FCV Dender EH
Mohammad Mohebi
FC Rostov
Mehdi Taremi
Olympiacos
Mehdi Ghayedi
Al-Nasr
Ali Alipour
Persepolis
Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh
Tractor
Shahriyar Moghanlou
Ittihad Kalba
Dennis Eckert Ayensa
Standard Liège
World Cup History
Iran have appeared at six World Cups: 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, and 2022. They have never progressed beyond the group stage, though they came agonizingly close in 2014, losing to Argentina on a last-minute Lionel Messi goal, and in 2018, where they were seconds away from beating Portugal. Iran's 1998 victory over the United States was one of the most politically charged matches in World Cup history.
Group G Opponents
Fun Fact
Iran's 2-1 victory over the United States at the 1998 World Cup in France was played amid enormous political tension between the two nations, but the players exchanged flowers and posed for joint photos before kickoff in a memorable display of sportsmanship.
Predict Iran's Path to the Final
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