Iran Starting Lineup vs United States: World Cup Starting 11 Announced

By Matt Amato | Nov 29, 2022, 10:09am

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The Iranian starting 11 is one of the more underrated starting lineups in the World Cup. While Iran is the clear underdog in Group B, the team has a roster that will put up a fight, highlighted by Porto striker Mehdi Taremi. The next biggest attacking threat, Sardar Azmoun of Bayer Leverkusen, is another big name to look out for. Iran’s current odds to win the World Cup sit at

Iran Starting 11 Vs. United States

Sardar Azmoun (FW)
Mehdi Taremi (FW)
Ali Gholizadeh (FW)
Saeed Ezatolahi (MF)
Ahmad Nourollahi (MF)
Ehsan Hajsafi (MF)
Milad Mohammadi (DF)
Majid Hosseini (DF)
Morteza Pouraliganji (DF)
Ramin Rezaeian (DF)
Alireza Beiranvand (GK)

Iran will need to play counter-attacking football and make minimal defensive mistakes to compete with England, the USA, and Wales. However, due to minimal quality depth on the team, their best chance to steal a draw or even a win might be in game one against England while the team is at their freshest.

Irans starting 11 against England, has a formidable front-3 that should be able to at least threaten the Euro runner-ups. On top of Mehdi Taremi and Sardar Azmoun, Iran’s starting lineup will also boast Alireza Jahanbakhsh, formerly of Brighton and Hove Albion. Jahanbakhsh has the talent to create and score at the top level.

At the end of the day, the back four for Iran will be challenged throughout this tournament. The 29-year-old Amir Abedzadeh will lead this defense from in goal and will need to be in top form for Iran in this tough group.

Carlos Queiroz is the manager of Iran’s national team. Carlos Queiroz is of Portugal descent and has coached several important squads in the past, including Real Madrid from 2003-2004. This is his second stint as Iran’s manager, coaching the team prior from 2011-2019. Queiroz will be looking to one-up his performance in the 2018 World Cup, where Iran was minutes away from qualifying for the group stage until a late equalizer by Spain against Morroco in the final game saw Iran knocked out.

One of the weird quirks of the Iran roster is that it is short one player, rostering only 25 instead of 26, and carrying four goalkeepers. On a team with limited depth, this is a curious choice by manager Carlos Queiroz.

Iran Starting Lineup History

Vs. Wales

Sardar Azmoun (FW)
Mehdi Taremi (FW)
Ali Karimi (MF)
Saeed Ezatolahi (MF)
Milad Mohammadi (MF)
Ahmad Nourollahi (MF)
Ehsan Hajsafi (MF)
Majid Hosseini (DF)
Morteza Pouraliganji (DF)
Roozbeh Cheshmi (DF)
Hossein Hosseini (GK)

Vs. England

Alireza Jahanbakhsh (FW)
Mehdi Taremi (FW)
Ali Karimi (MF)
Saeed Ezatolahi (MF)
Milad Mohammadi (MF)
Ahmad Nourollahi (MF)
Ehsan Hajsafi (MF)
Majid Hosseini (DF)
Morteza Pouraliganji (DF)
Roozbeh Cheshmi (DF)
Alireza Beiranvand (GK)

Who Is Iran’s Starting Goalkeeper?

Amir Abedzadeh will start in goal for this Iranian national team. The 29-year-old plays for SD Ponferradina in LaLiga 2. Abedzadeh made the roster for the 2018 World Cup and will be making his first start in a World Cup this year.

Who Is Iran’s Starting Striker?

Iran’s starting striker is Mehdi Taremi of Porto FC. Mehdi Taremi currently has 6 goals and 5 assists in just 13 matches in the Primeira Liga in Portugal. In World Cup qualification Mehdi Taremi’s scored 8 goals in 13 matches for Iran.

Who Is Iran’s Best Player?

Mehdi Taremi is the star of the Iran National team. Mehdi Taremi will need to make the most out of his limited chances for Iran to have a chance of qualifying in the tough Group B

Matt Amato

Matthew is a UC Berkeley economic and philosophy graduate. He has played DFS, Football pools, and survival leagues for most of his adult life. Matthew brings to the table great strategies for both your GPP and Cash plays as well as a winning track record with his picks of the week.