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So Iran have continued their habit of taking a tournament off between World Cup. Having qualified in 1998 and 2006, Team Melli missed out in 2002 (thanks to a pre-Saipan Ireland) and 2010.
2014 sees them return with a team which draws on a diaspora influence with the likes Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham), goalkeeper Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig) and Charlton forward Reza Ghoochannejhad being brought into the squad by former Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz.
Iran, who topped their qualifying group, are expected to be the fall guys against Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia but that underdog tag may suit them as they look to reach the knockout stages for the first time.
Latest news and features
Andy Mitten on meeting Carlos Quieroz in Iran
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World Cup Record
Appearances: Group stages (1978, 1998 and 2006)
Best Result: 4
Squad
Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari, Alireza Haghighi, Rahman Ahmadi
Defenders: Hossein Mahini, Steven Beitashour, Pejman Montazeri, Jalal Hosseini, Amir-Hossein Sadeghi, Ahmad Alenemeh, Hashem Beikzadeh, Mehrdad Pouladi
Midfielders: Javad Nekounam, Andranik Teymourian, Reza Haghighi, Ghasem Hadadifar, Bakhtiar Rahmani, Ehsan Hajsafi
Forwards: Ashkan Dejagah, Masoud Shojaei, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Karim Ansarifard, Khosro Heydari.
Manager: Carlos Quieroz
Fixtures and Results
Group F
June 16 vs Nigeria (Curitiba) 0 - 0 (D)
June 21 vs Argentina (Belo Horizonte) 1 - 0 (L)
June 25 vs Bosnia (Salvador) 3 - 1 (L)
