Iran announce final 23-man squad for Football World Cup

Iran has announced its final 23-man line-up for the 2018 Football World Cup as it arrives in Russia with arguably its most accomplished squad ever. 

Iran have some strong choices up front, including Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who became the first Iranian to top the scoring table of a major European league with 21 goals for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

There are also big hopes for 23-year-old striker Sardar Azmoun, who has racked up 23 goals for Iran since making his debut in



2014.

Iran has an unprecedented number of players from international leagues this year, with 12 of the squad currently playing with European clubs.

Iran, nicknamed "Team Melli", had an unbeaten run in qualifiers, becoming the first to book their place from the Asian Football Confederation. But they face a tough group in the World Cup, with Spain, Portugal and Morocco.