Carlos Queiroz Names 30-Man Preliminary Iran Squad for World Cup
Iran’s head coach, Carlos Queiroz, has revealed his initial 30-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese coach is set to narrow the list down to 23 players by June 2, ahead of the tournament, where Iran will face Nigeria, Argentina, and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group F.
The squad includes a mix of domestic and international players, with several key figures from Iran’s top clubs and European-based players making the cut. Queiroz, known for his meticulous planning, is leaving no room for surprises as he looks to build a competitive team that can make an impact in Brazil.
Iran’s Group F opponents present a formidable challenge, with Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, and Nigeria, both considered strong contenders. Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a star-studded squad including Edin Dzeko, will also provide a tough test for the Iranian side.
Here is the full list of Iran’s 30 pre-selected players:
Goalkeepers:
Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig, Germany)
Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan Isfahan, Iran)
Alireza Haqiqi (Sporting de Covilha, Portugal)
Sosha Makani (Foolad, Iran)
Ali Reza Biranvand (Naft, Iran)
Defenders:
Hossein Mâhini (Persepolis, Iran)
Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis, Iran)
Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan Isfahan, Iran)
Amir Hossein Sadeghi (Esteghlal, Iran)
Hashem Beykzadeh (Esteghlal, Iran)
Khosroo Heidari (Esteghlal, Iran)
Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft Tehran, Iran)
Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh (Zob-Ahan Isfahan, Iran)
Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal SC, Qatar)
Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Canada)
Midfielders:
Mehrdad Pouladi (Persepolis, Iran)
Reza Haghighi (Persepolis, Iran)
Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal, Iran)
Ghasem Hadadifar (Zob-Ahan Isfahan, Iran)
Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad, Iran)
Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC, Kuwait)
Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham, England)
Massoud Shojaei (UD Las Palmas, Spain)
Forwards:
Mohammad Reza Khalatbari (Persepolis, Iran)
Mehdi Sharifi (Sepahan Isfahan, Iran)
Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi, Iran)
Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic, England)
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC, Netherlands)
Sardar Azmoun (FC Rubin Kazan, Russia)
Reza Norouzi (Naft, Iran)
Queiroz has emphasized the importance of building a balanced squad that combines experience with youthful energy, as Iran looks to make a statement on the global stage. As the World Cup approaches, the coach will be focusing on refining his tactical plans and finalizing his 23-man squad, with the hope of securing Iran’s first-ever progression beyond the group stage in the tournament’s history.
With several players playing in top European leagues and others representing Iran’s leading domestic clubs, Queiroz has options in every position. His final decision will come after evaluating the players’ form in the lead-up to the World Cup, ensuring that Iran is fully prepared for the challenges ahead in Group F.
