FIFA World Ranking: 37
How they qualified: Iran never had to get out of second gear to make it to the World Cup until their final game. After breezing through AFC Group E in the third round of qualification ahead of Qatar, Indonesia and Bahrain, whom they beat 6-0 in Tehran, Carlos Queiroz’s side were then drawn with South Korea, Uzbekistan, Qatar and Lebanon in Group A. Despite scoring just eight goals in as many games, Iran still topped the group after winning in South Korea in their final match.
Roster: Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan Isfahan), Alireza Haqiqi (Sporting da Covilha); Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir Hossein Sadeqi (Esteghlal), Hashem Beykzadeh (Esteghlal), Mehrdad Pouladi (Persepolis), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft Tehran), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal SC), Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh (Zob Ahan Isfahan); Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Ghasem Hadadifar (Zob Ahan Isfahan), Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad), Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan Isfahan); Khosrow Heidari (Esteghlal), Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC),Masoud Shojaei (UD Las Palmas), Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham).
Star players: Although they don’t really boast many big-name players, Iran are one of the strongest Asian teams thanks to Steven Beitashour and Ashkan Dejagah. American-born Beitashour was a stalwart for San Jose Earthquakes for four years prior to his January move to the Vancouver Whitecaps, and is considered one of the best right backs in the MLS. Dejagah, meanwhile, was part of the Fulham side that was relegated from the English Premier League in May. However he was one of the few bright sparks of their season, which led him to be voted as Fulham’s Player of the Year.
How they will fare: A tad unfortunately for Iran, they are arguably the weakest side in Group F, which also consists of Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Nigeria. Assuming Argentina win the group, Iran face a fight to progress into the second round. But if they can sneak a win against a solid Nigeria side or a Edin Dezeko-led Bosnia, then they might just sneak through.