Iran World Cup 2018 squad and team guide

Here we take a look at Iran's World Cup squad and the other things it will be handy to know about the Group B challengers.

Iran's World Cup squad - the 35 names

35-man preliminary squad: Alireza Beiranvand, Seyed Hossein Hosseini, Rashid Mazaheri, Amir Abedzadeh; Ramin Rezaeian, Voria Ghafouri, Steven Beitashour, Seyed Jalal Hosseini, Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh, Morteza Pouraliganji, Mohammad Ansari, Pejman Montazeri, Seyed Majid Hosseini, Milad Mohammadi, Omid Norafkan, Saeid AGhaei, Roozbeh Cheshmi; Saeid Ezatolahi, Masoud Shojaei, Ahmad Abdolahzadeh, Saman Ghoddos, Mahdi Torabi, Ashkan Dejagah, Omid Ebrahimi, Ehsan Hajsafi, Ali Karimi, Soroush Rafiei, Ali Gholizadeh, Vahid Amiri; Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Karim Ansarifard, Mahdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Kaveh Rezaei

What odds are Iran to win the World Cup?

500/1

Who's the coach?

Carlos Queiroz, erstwhile assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson who called him “an intelligent, meticulous Rottweiler”. He took Iran to Brazil in 2014 after spells at Real Madrid and his native Portugal twice.

Who's the star?

Alireza Jahanbakhsh, an elusive two-footed sprite who can play on either wing, has had an outstanding season with AZ Alkmaar and won the Eredivisie’s Golden Boot for 21 goals in addition to his 12 assists. 

Best thing about them

Queiroz’s conservatism, much criticised by Roy Keane at Old Trafford, has equipped them with a superbly organised defence and enough skilful flyers to be disruptive on the break.