Iran have never made it past the group stage of a World Cup but they could prove tricky opposition in Qatar.
Former Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz is back in charge for a second stint after walking away from the job towards the end of 2019.
Here’s everything you need to know about Iran…
Coach: Carlos Queiroz. Sir Alex Ferguson’s former right-hand man, this is the third time he will lead Iran at a World Cup.
Captain: Ehsan Hajsafi. AEK Athens defender brings a wealth of experience to the defence and will be vital to Iran’s chances of success.
Star player: Mehdi Taremi. Has scored plenty of goals for Porto and was linked with Arsenal in January.
One to watch: Sardar Azmoun. His nickname is ‘the Iranian Messi’, which says it all really.
World ranking: 20th
Odds: 500/1
Best thing about them: Defensive solidity and scoring goals on counterattacks.
Worst thing about them: They have struggled to score goals against so-called weaker opposition.
Their prospects in three words: Early exit likely.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
November 21 vs England (1pm)
November 25 vs Wales (10am)
November 29 vs USA (7pm)
Squad in full
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand, Hossein Hosseini, Payam Niazmand, Amir Abedzadeh
Defenders: Ramin Rezaeian, Abolfazl Jalali, Hossein Kananizadegan, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Mortza Pouraliganji, Majid Hosseini, Sadegh Moharrami, Milad Mohammadi, Ehsan Hajisafi
Midfielders: Saeid Ezatolahi, Ahmad Nourollahi, Ali Karimi, Rouzbeh Cheshmi, Vahid Amiri, Mehdi Torabi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Ali Gholizadeh, Saman Ghoddos
Forwards: Sardar Azmoun, Karim Ansarifard, Mehdi Taremi
