Iran predicted lineup vs USA - World Cup

Mehdi Taremi has two goals and an assist in three games at this World Cup
Mehdi Taremi has two goals and an assist in three games at this World Cup / Clive Brunskill/GettyImages
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Iran will make it into the World Cup knockout stages for the first time if they beat USA in their final Group B game on Tuesday...it is that simple.

Even a draw might be enough, but Carlos Queiroz's team would have to also rely on Wales failing to beat England in that scenario.

Here's a look at the XI the Portuguese coach could pick for this crunch fixture...


Iran predicted lineup vs USA

1. Iran (4-4-2)

GK: Hossein Hosseini - Continues to deputise for Alireza Beiranvand and will be buoyed by his clean sheet against Wales.

RB: Ramin Rezaeian - Not in the team to score goals but got forward to net the killer second last time out.

CB: Majid Hosseini - Impressed against Wales by repelling everything that came his way in the penalty area.

CB: Morteza Pouraliganji - The centre-back who wears the number eight shirt like a midfielder needs to work on his passing.

LB: Milad Mohammadi - Plays his club football in Greece with AEK Athens.

RM: Ali Gholizadeh - Had an early goal against Wales ruled out after a VAR intervention flagged an offside.

CM: Ahmad Nourollahi - Tried his luck from distance a number of times against Wales, although several were blocked before making it to the goal.

CM: Saeid Ezatolahi - Tasked with being the more destructive of the two central midfielders. He won 7/10 of his ground duels last time out.

LM: Hajsafi - The skipper is a defender by trade but has been used to playing at wing-back. He is the most capped player in the squad.

ST: Mehdi Taremi - Three direct goals involvements in his two games so far and will carry Iran's chief goal threat again.

ST: Karim Ansarifard - Question marks persist over the fitness of Sardar Azmoun after Iran's star man had to come off against Wales.


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