Iran-#32

#32-Iran

Nickname-Team Melli

Asian Football Confederation

FIFA Ranking-#33

Group F (Argentina, Bosnia, Nigeria, Iran)

Projected Finish-Fourth in Group F 
Projected Results...
Loss to Nigeria
Loss to Bosnia
Loss to Argentina

Manager-Carlos Quieroz (Former Portugal manager 2008-2010, Manchester United Assistant under Sir Alex Ferguson prior to that)

Qualified through first place in Asian Football Confederation

4th World Cup Appearance (1978, 1998, 2006)

Iran is in their 4th World Cup, and they have a pretty big name managing the team.  However, when you look at the roster, there aren't many names that are recognizable, if any.  Iran is going to be slated as big underdogs, and they will need to get a win against Nigeria, get a result against Bosnia, and then hope not to get slaughtered by powerhouse Argentina.  Beating Nigeria isn't crazy, but a win or draw against Bosnia will be difficult, and Argentina....well that's almost certainly not going to happen.  But Iran is improving, and has made 2 out of the last 3 World Cups.  Carlos Quieroz has managed in the World Cup before for a bigger team, so he will have an idea of how to handle his squad.  I think Iran is in a lot of trouble. But if the team is going to pull off a miracle, which will be the players who will need to shine for "Team Melli"?

Jevad Nekounam-The captain of the Iranian side, with over 135 caps for the national team.  He really is going to need to play some blinders and is going to need to show the form he showed for La Liga side Osasuna from 2006-2012.  He has to command the midfield, and keep the team organized.  He has to make the most of his opportunities to score, as he is the leading scorer on the roster.  He has 37 career goals for the national team.  At age 33, he needs to make the best of this opportunity, being that in 2018 he will be age 37 and may not be of quality to play in that World Cup should Iran qualify.  Currently, he plays for Al-Kuwait in the Kuwaiti Premier League.

Reza Ghoochannejhad-This may be the best player on the Iranian side, providing 8 goals in 10 appearances since joining the National team in 2012.  He is the strongest forward the team has.  Playing for a quality Standard Liege side in Belgium, he is looked upon to provide goal scoring prowess there as well. At 26 years old, he is primed to make an impact for Iran, and he, along with Nekounam, will need to provide goals for Iran to have a chance to advance past the group stages.

Jalal Hosseini-He will be the anchor of the defense for the Iranian team, with 82 appearances for the team. He is the best centerback that the Iranian team has, and he must organize and communicate with the other defenders in order to limit the amount of goals conceded.  Aged 26 for Persepolis in the Iran Pro League, he must help Iran's defense in bending, but not breaking.

These three players will be vital for Iran's chances to advance, and though I am definitely not optimistic, I am intrigued to see how they will deal with Nigeria, Bosnia, and Argentina and Lionel Messi.  I don't think they have the quality nor depth to get results against Bosnia and Argentia, but Nigeria could be a possible draw for Iran.  Overall, Iran should be happy to be here, and qualifying in two of the last three World Cups is a big step in the right direction for the Football Federation of Iran.