World Cup 2018: Iran team profile
Monday 11 June 2018 14:28, UK
From fixtures and fun facts to the key men, all you need to know about Iran ahead of this summer's World Cup.
Manager: Carlos Queiroz
Star man: Sardar Azmoun - The 23-year-old plays his club football at Rubin Kazan, and is scoring at a fantastic rate for Iran - 22 goals in 30 games as of March 2018.
How they qualified: Group A winners in Asian qualifying, going unbeaten in their 10 games to finish seven points clear of runners-up South Korea.
History: Four finals appearances in 1978, 1998, 2006 and 2014 - yet to progress beyond the groups.
Fun fact: Iran have reached back-to-back World Cups for the first time ever.
Best World Cup moment: A 2-1 win over the United States in the 1998 groups handed Iran their first and only win to date at the finals.
Player you've never heard of: Jalal Hosseini - The experienced defender, 36, has more than 100 caps for Iran, having made his debut in 2007.
Kit: Home - white; Away - red.
Group B fixtures: Morocco (4pm, June 15, St Petersburg), Spain (7pm, June 20, Kazan), Portugal (7pm, June 25, Saransk)
