Team profile: Iran

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This is Iran's fourth World Cup finals and they are yet to compete in the knockout stages. They will hope the attacking threat of Fulham midfielder Ashkan Dejagah and veteran captain Javad Nekounam gets them out of the groups this time.
A predominantly domestic-based squad will do well to improve on Iran's World Cup record of one win in nine attempts.
They only conceded twice in eight matches during the final qualifying phase but stronger opponents lie ahead.