Iran hopes to advance to the Round of 16 for the first time despite turmoil heading into the tournament.
Past World Cup Appearances: 1978,1998, 2006, 2014, 2018
title: 0
best finish: group stage
world cup record: W2, D4, L9
Target: 9
biggest win: 2-1 vs USA (1998)
key player: Medhi Taremi
Ranking: 20
Fixtures: England (November 21st), Wales (November 25th), USA (November 29th)
Iran’s national football team, Team Meri, will face a tough match at the World Cup. But despite the difficult months since the lead-up pitch, the players are hoping to make history in the tournament.
In Group B, Iran will face England, Wales and the United States, all of whom are at the top of the table.
The 20-year-old Iran are the top team in Asia, surpassing Japan and South Korea in the FIFA rankings.
“I think Iran and Japan are the most likely Asian teams with the ability to get through the World Cup group stage,” Iran’s newly appointed Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz said in October. told the media.
The highest-profile Iranian player is now 30-year-old Mehdi Taremi, who plays for Portuguese club Porto. Forward Sardar Azmon, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, is also an important player. Azmon was injured while playing for Leverkusen in early October, but doctors are optimistic that he will recover by the time Iran takes to the pitch in Qatar.
The Iranian team will be making history if they manage to advance out of the group stage.
Team Meri, who also coached Queiroz in 2018, lost narrowly to Spain and Portugal.
Things could be a little better for Iran at this World Cup, who lead the qualifying group with a 25 goal difference and a +11 goal difference.
The team was then coached by Croatian Dragan Scotic. Draganskočić set an important record, even though he was in charge for only two and a half years. He spent most of his time without coaching due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Scotic won 15 of 18 games as head coach. In that period, Iran scored his 40 goals and conceded only eight of his goals, making him the fastest World Cup berth in history, and the coach is the head of all his coaching teams in Meri’s history. secured the longest winning streak.
However, disagreements with several players, including star striker Talemi, and problems with federal officials ultimately cut Scotic’s time at Team Meri after he was sacked in early July.
Following controversial elections in the football federation, new football chief Mehtarji, who faces criticism in the Iranian media over alleged financial corruption, has opted to bring Queiroz back.
