Iran will head into their third consecutive World Cup and will be aiming to make it out of the group stages for the first time in their history.
Carlos Queiroz's men put in an encouraging performance in Russia four years ago, finishing third in a group that held European giants Spain and Portugal as well as African representatives Morocco.
They were paired with England, Wales and USA in Group B this time around and will be quietly optimistic following their opponents' underwhelming form heading into the tournament.
Here are the 25 players who will represent Iran in Qatar.
ALSO READ: World Cup 2022 Group B: Fixtures, results, standings, squads & full details
Alireza Beiranvand is set to be the firm first-choice goalkeeper for Iran.
Amir Abedzadeh and Hossein Hosseini are able back-ups and will also be hopeful of getting the nod.
Name | Club |
---|---|
Alireza Beiranvand | Persepolis |
Payam Niazmand | Sepahan |
Amir Abedzadeh | Ponferradina |
Hossein Hosseini | Esteghlal |
Ehsan Hajsafi, who plays for AEK Athens, remains Iran's most experienced player at the back, with over 100 caps for his country.
The likes of Shojae Khalilzadeh and Milad Mohammadi will also compete to be part of Iran's defence at the World Cup.
Name | Club |
---|---|
Sadegh Moharrami | Dinamo Zagreb |
Ehsan Hajsafi | AEK Aethens |
Shojae Khalilzadeh | Al Ahli |
Milad Mohammadi | AEK Aethens |
Morteza Pouraliganji | Persepolis |
Majid Hosseini | Kayserispor |
Abolfazl Jalali | Esteghlal |
Ramin Rezaeian | Sepahan |
Hossein Kanaani | Al Ahli |
Brentford midfielder Saman Ghoddos, Persepolis' Vahid Amiri and Al Wakrah's Ahmad Nourollahi were unsurprisingly given a place in the 26-man squad.
Saeid Ezatolahi has been clocking regular minutes for the national team and will be hopeful of playing at the 2022 World Cup as well.
Name | Club |
---|---|
Saeid Ezatolahi | Vejle |
Vahid Amiri | Persepolis |
Saman Ghoddos | Brentford |
Ahmad Nourollahi | Shabab Al Ahli |
Ali Karimi | Kayserispor |
Rouzbeh Cheshmi | Esteghlal |
Iran have a strong forward line featuring Sardar Azmoun, Mehdi Taremi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Karim Ansarifard, who have all been amongst the goals for their national team.
Name | Club |
---|---|
Alireza Jahanbakhsh | Feyenoord |
Mehdi Taremi | Porto |
Karim Ansarifard | Omonia |
Mehdi Torabi | Persepolis |
Ali Gholizadeh | Charleroi |
Sardar Azmoun | Bayer Leverkusen |
Hosseini is set to guard the goal after Beiranvand suffered a head injury against England, behind a four-man defence consisting of Moharrami, Hosseini, Mohammadi and skipper Hajsafi.
Ghoddos, Amiri and Nourollahi will help with the midfield transition whereas the trio of Taremi, Ansarifard and Azmoun could lead the attack.
Iran XI (4-3-3): Hosseini; Moharrami, Hosseini, Mohammadi, Hajsafi; Ghoddos, Amiri, Nourollahi; Taremi, Ansarifard, Azmoun.
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