World Cup preview: Eredivisie top scorer inspires Iran's World Cup dream

Iran had a relatively simple stroll through the Asian Football Confederation's qualifying campaign, topping its group in the third round to book a direct flight to Russia - the first time Team Melli has ever qualified for back-to-back World Cups.

Like their 2014 expedition, however, Carlos Quieroz's men will be saddled from the get-go. Anything less than three points from their opening match against Morocco will put them in a predicament with titans Spain and Portugal waiting in Group B. That said, there is reason for Iranians to have hope in their squad.

Group stage schedule

Projected starting XI

Iran tends to play a fluid 4-3-3 which at times does resemble more of a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-1-4-1. But regardless of what the teamsheet says, the one constant will be Alireza Jahanbakhsh creating trouble on the right, attempting to expose the opponent's left-back in isolation and set up his teammates with a cross, or cut in himself for a chance of his own.

One player will have to step in for Saeid Ezatolahi in the opener, however. Eztolahi has frequently anchored Iran's midfield, but Quieroz will need to find a stopgap solution against Morocco as the 21-year-old will be serving a suspension for his red-card stamp against South Korea in qualifying.

Related: Full squad lists for each nation

Key player: Alireza Jahanbakhsh

With 21 goals and 12 assists this season for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, Jahanbakhsh emerged as the top scorer in the Eredivisie, becoming the first Asian player ever to achieve the feat. Primarily a right-winger but able to play anywhere in a front three or just behind a centre-forward, Jahanbakhsh is likely to be Iran's focal point going forward, with a large percentage of its attacks expected to flow through the 24-year-old.

Breakout star: Sardar Azmoun

Azmoun isn't exactly a new face in Iran's national set-up, having made 32 caps for the senior side, but the 23-year-old Rubin Kazan striker has already scored 23 goals for Team Melli since earning his debut in 2014, with 11 of those coming in 2018 World Cup qualifying alone. With Jahanbakhsh set to command a lot of the attention, Azmoun could stand to benefit the most as he appears in his first World Cup.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)