FIFA World Cup 2022: The Squad of Iran

The Iran National Football team (Team Melli) is classified in ‘Group B’ with other competitors like England, Wales and USA. And as per the schedule, they will encounter England in their opening match in Group B for the FIFA World Cup on 21 November 2022. 

Team of Iran 

The Iran National Football team, which is often recognised by FIFA as IR Iran, generally represents Iran in international football matches. It is, however, said to be controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI). They are also given the nickname, “Team Melli”, and are led by the head coach, Carlos Queiroz. And, the first match that the team played was on 23 August 1941, away at Kabul in a 1–0 win against British India, and their  first FIFA international match took place on 25 August 1941, away at Afghanistan. As per reports, Iran has managed to register three Asian Cup championships to their names in 1968, 1972 and 1976.

However, this year marks their sixth appearance in the FIFA World Cup. In the past, they appeared in the FIFA World Cups of 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, and 2018. But, the team never progressed beyond the group stages; also they managed to win only two matches: against the United States in 1998 and Morocco in 2018. The team is expected to present their stunning form in order to set an excellent record in the upcoming tournament. With great players by their side, they are likely to show much progress and provide a tough competition to other countries. 

Iran’s “Group B” Fixtures for FIFA World Cup 2022: 

• 21 November – Iran vs England
• 25 November – Iran vs Wales
• 29 November – Iran vs USA 

Squad of Iran

The head coach announced the 26-man squad of team Iran ahead of the FIFA World Cup (one of the major tournaments). Check out the complete list of the full squad and their positions: 

Head Coach: Carlos Queiroz.

Captain: Ehsan Hajsafi.

Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Amir Abedzadeh (Ponferradina), Seyed Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal), Payam Niazmand (Sepahan).

Defenders: Ehsan Hajsafi (AEK Athens), Morteza Pouraliganji (Persepolis), Ramin Rezaeian (Sepahan), Milad Mohammadi (AEK Athens), Hossein Kanaanizadegan (Al Ahli), Shojae Khalilzadeh (Al Ahli), Sadegh Moharrami (Dinamo Zagreb), Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal), Majid Hosseini (Kayserispor), Abolfazl Jalali (Esteghlal).

Midfielders: Ahmad Noorollahi (Shabab Al Ahli), Saman Ghoddos (Brentford), Vahid Amiri (Persepolis), Saeid Ezatolahi (Vejle), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Feyenoord), Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis), Ali Gholizadeh (Charleroi), Ali Karimi (Kayserispor).

Forwards: Karim Ansarifard (Omonia Nicosia), Sardar Azmoun (Bayer Leverkusen), Mehdi Taremi (Porto). 

Probable Top Picks for FIFA World Cup 2022: 

• Ali Karimi (Kayserispor) – Midfielder. 
• Mehdi Taremi (Porto) – Forward. 
• Sardar Azmoun (Bayer Leverkusen) – Forward. 
• Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Feyenoord) – Midfielder. 
• Amir Abedzadeh (Ponferradina) – Goalkeeper. 
• Ehsan Hajsafi (AEK Athens) – Defender. 
• Shojae Khalilzadeh (Al Ahli) – Defender. 
• Karim Ansarifard (Omonia Nicosia) – Forward. 
• Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal) – Defender.
• Saman Ghoddos (Brentford) – Midfielder. 

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