Iran have earned themselves a reputation for being one of the most disciplined sides in international football. No matter the opposition, the onus remains on defensive solidity
Iran's road to Qatar
Iran finished ahead of South Korea in qualifying thanks to their defensive solidity throughout the qualification round. They defeated Iraq by a single goal in their final qualification game to finish two points above South Korea.
Iran's recent World Cup performances
Iran have failed to get out of the group stage of the last three World Cups. Most recently in 2018, the Iranians finished third in a group containing Portugal, Spain and Morocco
Iran final World Cup squad
The Iran squad is headlined by Leverkusen attacker, Sardar Azmoun who led the team in qualifying with 10 goals
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal), Payam Niazmand (Sepahan), Amir Abedzadeh (Ponferradina).
Defenders: Ramin Rezaeian (Sepahan), Abolfazl Jalali (Esteghlal), Hossein Kananizadegan (Al Ahli SC), Shoja Khalilzadeh (Al Ahli SC), Mortza Pouraliganji (Persepolis), Majid Hosseini (Kayserispor), Sadegh Moharrami (Dinamo Zagreb), Milad Mohammadi (AEK), Ehsan Hajisafi (AEK).
Midfielders: Saeid Ezatolahi (Vejle Boldklub), Ahmad Nourollahi (Shabab Al Ahli), Ali Karimi (Kayserispor), Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal), Vahid Amiri (Persepolis), Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Feyenoord), Ali Gholizadeh (Charleroi), Saman Ghoddos (Brentford).
Forwards: Sardar Azmoun (Bayer Leverkusen), Karim Ansarifard (Omonia), Mehdi Taremi (Porto).
See the list of every country's World Cup squads here
Star Player
Sardar Azmoun
Azmoun is the number one striker for Iran. A real box presence whose main job is to put the ball in the net. He is incredibly dangerous in the box due to his size and ability to win the ball in the air.
All of his qualities fit perfectly in Iran’s 4-4-2 system which relies on putting a lot of crosses into the box as early as possible. Iran will be counting on Azmoun to produce the goals to fire them into the second round
Iran's Coach
Carlos Queiroz returned for a second spell at the helm, taking over from Dragan Skocic. Queiroz is hugely popular in Iran and highly respected.
This is the third time Queiroz will lead Iran at a World Cup but this time it was Iran who got him there rather than the other way around.
Iran World Cup group fixtures
Iran vs England - 21 November, 2pm
Iran vs Wales - 25 November, 11am
Iran vs USA - 29 November, 8pm
Iran's odds to win the World Cup
Iran has very little chance of winning the World Cup according to the bookies with odds of 651.00