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Iran
Iran is what truly makes this group hard to predict. Undoubtedly the best team in Asia over the last few years, the introduction of Iran into this group of teams who are already matched closely is pure pandemonium.
Iran simply cruised their way through the Asian qualifiers, finishing 7 points ahead of second-placed South Korea. They only conceded 2 goals on the way, scoring 10 goals in the process.
Coach: Carlos Queiroz
The Portuguese was at the helm of Iran's qualifying campaign, as they became the first Asian team to qualify for the WC. This will be his third stint in charge of a team at the World Cup, having led his national team in 2010 and Iran in 2014.
His team received wide praise for almost denying Argentina in the group stages at the previous edition, but they ended up crashing out after a 1-3 loss against Bosnia. This time around, they are much stronger.
Like most unknown teams in the World Cup, it is with the goalkeeper that Iran has the most problem. The position is undoubtedly their weakest link in the team, and undoubtedly the one the other teams will be looking to exploit.
Beiranvand, who is most likely to start, can range from absolutely horrible to giving the performance of his life and no one is capable of knowing which will come when. But the defence is good enough to make sure that he is well-protected.
Iran play 4 at the back, and they are very organized. The discipline has been well ingrained in them, and they very rarely get out of shape. Another important thing is that they are very good at set pieces - both in defending them and attacking them.
The midfield and attack are where Iran truly excels. Unlike the last campaign where they ended up scoring only one goal, they have several dynamic players in their midst, with a good mix of youth and experience.
Iran play a classic 4-2-3-1, and requires 2 defensive midfielders for this to work. Therein lies their first problem. Ezatolahi is their best defensive midfielder. Well, to be entirely honest, he is their only true defensive midfielder.
Unfortunately, he received a red card in qualification and will not be eligible for the first match against Morocco - the match that will probably affect their fortunes the most. Ezatolahi is more vital to Iran's fortunes than you would imagine.
He essentially does what Busquets does at Barcelona. He is the player who keeps the side ticking. He shields balls from opponents and unleashes the attackers. He also steals balls from the opponent attackers. Against a side like Morocco, his absence will be sorely missed.
But barring this, Iran has a quality attack that can wreak havoc on any side - and I mean any side. The fact that Iran had to be drawn in this group is more than just bad luck for them, as their presence in any other group would have made them a strong contender for going through to the Round of 16.
On the right is Jahanbakhsh, who is the most dynamic forward player in the team. He has finished the season in the Eredivisie with 21 goals and 12 assists and is simply unstoppable. As intelligent as he is fast, he is also capable of shooting with both feet.
He is certain to attract offers from bigger clubs in the summer and is the one to often make the difference for the national side. The rest of the cast work around him, and they work well as a unit.
The only problem is the stamina of the players, which the coach has complained about. Against teams that park the bus, Iran play to their strengths but against opponents who stay on the ball, Iran find it hard to stay on their feet through the entire game.
In the World Cup, one random moment of switching-off is enough to make the difference.
Player to watch out for: Sardar Azmoun
Well, Azmoun has been already hailed as the Iranian Ibrahimovic and the Iranian Messi, as well as being considered the heir to the legendary Iranian striker Ali Daei. No pressure, kid.
Unlike Messi and like Ibra, Azmoun plays as the central striker and is more of a poacher. Iran will be looking to provide him with crosses at every possible juncture and expect him to make things happen - which he usually does for the national team.
At 23, he is already the 5th highest scorer for the national side. Why would you not look out for him?
