Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand – Iran's #1 Goalkeeper is one of the best at the tournament. Having shined at the 2018 World Cup, where he only conceded 2 goals in 3 games - saving Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty in the process, Beiranvand is set to be Iran's goal keeper for the tournament. Beiranvand offers amazing shot stopping and long throws that quick turn defense into counter attacks. His first call up was before the 2015 Asian Cup where he kept a clean sheet against Iraq in the final pre-tournament friendly. One of the most important players for Iran going into the tournament. Starter.
Amir Abedzadeh – As a regular backup for the past year, Abedzadeh has cemented his spot as Iran's #2 goalkeeper, having been a part of Iran's 2018 World Cup squad. The Portugese league based keeper has become a starter for his club team, and a string of good performances in international friendlies have made him the likely replacement to Beiranvand should something happen to the starter. Second Choice.
Payam Niazmand – A surprise selection, but remainder that Quieroz is no stranger to giving younger players a chance. When many thought someone like Mazaheri, Akhbari, Hosseini, or even Haghighi would feature in this tournament, it was the 23 year old goalkeeper for Sepahan in Iran who won the spot. Niazmand has performed well in the league over the past two seasons, and has stepped up tremendously this season. Niazmand has been keeping numerous clean sheets and averaging less than a goal conceded per game. A quality shotstopper with a bright future. Third Choice.
Defenders: Ramin Rezaeian – The eccentric rightback performed highly at the 2018 World Cup to find himself clubless for months in the first half of the season. He has now reached full fitness after featuring in multiple club games and international friendlies. Rezaeian is talented on the ball and can get forward, leading to him starting as a right winger in some club games. Rezaeian is a big game player, as seen with his Fifa recognized man of the match performance against Spain at the 2018 WC. Expect to see some quality crosses coming in from the right each game. Starter.
Vouria Ghafouri – Before the World Cup, many pundits thought Ghafouri was set to become Iran's starting rightback, but to everyone's surprise he didn't even make the squad. With Moharrami injured, Ghafouri has been chosen as another rightback option for the tournament, but will likely not feature unless Rezaeian is out. The veteran will offer experience in the back line if called upon and does carry some offensive threat. Substitute/Reserve.
Morteza Pouraliganji – One of the most talented centerbacks to come out of Iran in recent years, Pouraliganji has become one of the first names on the team sheet when fit. The centerback is cool headed and can dictate defensive movements at the back. Pouraliganji is also a threat at the other end of the pitch, being capable of scoring goals with both his head and feet. Starter.
Majid Hosseini - Iranians dreaded the day that Jalal Hosseini would leave the national team, but the emergence of Majid Hosseini made those worries go away. The young centerback beat out Jalal when it came to making the World Cup squad and a halftime substitution saw him cement himself as the future partner of Pouraliganji. Majid will be crucial in sending long balls out to attackers after winning them with great positioning and timing. Starter.
Pejman Montazeri – The 35 year old centerback has made a half century of appearances but was a surprise addition to this year's squad. Thought by many to be a placeholder, Montazeri's inclusion in the final squad indicates that CQ has some faith left in the veteran. Montazeri is the least likely player to receive playing time. Reserve.
Hossein Kanaanizadegan – Kanaani has emerged as the third choice centerback for Team Melli. During an injury crisis of the two starting centerbacks, there was a concern as to who could take over given the gulf of perceived quality. In a few friendlies Kanaani has shown that he is capable if called upon, but will likely only see the field in the event of an injury. Substitute/Reserve.
Ehsan Hajsafi – Ehsan Hajsafi has recently become a centurion for Iran as the utility man has played 100 times for Iran across the pitch. The last Asian Cup saw Hajsafi play as a Left Winger, Midfielder, and Left back, with the latter being CQ's preferred position for the player. Hajsafi has also played a central midfield role before for both club and country. He will receive game time in potentially more than one position. Starter/Substitute.
Milad Mohammadi – Milad Mohammadi's been regarded as one of the best leftback's to come out of Iran in the past decade. The leftback offers pace, technical ability, and tackling. Milad's situation is directly connected to whether Hajsafi is being planned to be used as a leftback. Even if Hajsafi is starting leftback, Mohammadi is expected to make a few appearances off the bench or start in certain games. Unclear-Starter/Substitute.
Midfielders: Rouzbeh Cheshmi – Cheshmi was originally touted to be the third centerback for Iran behind Jalal Hosseini and Pouraliganji, and even in the Majid era it was believed Cheshmi would stay in the defensive line. Cheshmi has been pushed up to his more natural position as a defensive midfielder and his likelihood to start depends on what formation is in play as playing more than one defensive midfielder will often affect creativity. If not starting, he will be one of the first defensive substitutes brought in to keep a lead, but can also serve as a centerback in a dire injury situation. Substitute/Starter.
Omid Ebrahimi – Ebrahimi showcased his ability to calmly defend at the World Cup and with the loss of Ezatolahi to injury, he is set to become the key defensive midfielder for Team Melli. The veteran player will either be paired up with another defensive midfielder or sit in front of the back four alone in a 4-1-4-1. Starter.
Ahmad Nourollahi – Nourollahi was an interesting addition to the list as the closest player to Ezatolahi in play style. The box to box midfielder is capable of moving forward or staying behind and could be the breakout player in the Iran squad. His playtime will be determined on the performance of other midfielders and his performance in any substitute appearances. He can offer a bit of creativity while not losing too much defensive backbone in midfield. Substitute.
Vahid Amiri – Amiri shocked both global fans and Iranians fans alike with his performance at the World Cup this summer. Traditionally a secondary striker, Amiri showcased his ability to play in central midfield and wing with his playmaking ability and defensive contributions. He will likely start, but in the chance he doesn't he will be called upon off the bench. Starter/Substitute.
Masoud Shojaei – Iran's captain is famed for his technical and passing abilities, but these skills are not as sharp as they once were for the veteran. Shojaei's place in the squad is important for leadership and motivation, but he is likely to receive little game time at the tournament. Substitute/Reserve.
Ashkan Dejagah – Dejagah was amongst a series of European-Iranians who entered the team thanks to CQ. The technical veteran has shown glimpses of his retained ability is his limited appearances. He could be brought on late game to unlock defenses or for a penalty shootout. Substitute.
Forwards/Wingers: Alireza Jahanbakhsh – Jahanbakhsh has cemented himself as a starter for Iran in the past year. The technical winger has showcased his ability to score and assist goals last season for his club, and has scored a few beautiful goals for Iran. If he is fit, he will play. Starter.
Saman Ghoddos – A fan favorite since his introduction to the team, Ghoddos can play anywhere up top from the wings to the center. He plays most as a left winger for club, but has shown the most promise as an attacking midfielder for Iran. Famed for his direct free kicks, hopefully he can whip one in for Iran. He has the talent to start, but often doesn't meet the initial tactics for the formation. Substitute/Starter.
Sardar Azmoun – Azmoun has been hailed as Iran's next world class player, and despite having mixed performances at club level, has almost found a goal contribution for every game he has played for Iran. With 23 goals and 2 assists in 36 games, Azmoun is set to lead the line and hopefully continue his goal scoring form from the last Asian Cup. Expect a few headed goals early on. Starter.
Karim Ansarifard – Ansarifard has a strange history with his positioning for the national team. He is a pure center forward, but often plays in midfield or on the wing. With more talented players available and starting in those positions, it is unlikely he gets his name in the starting lineup. Ansarifard has also not played a full 90 minutes in months, bringing up the fitness issue. Substitute.
Mehdi Torabi – Torabi has been an exciting talent for Iran for quite some time, and while he is yet to reach his potential, he has shown glimpses of his creative ability. More than likely, Torabi won't be starting any games, but will be coming off the bench a lot to fight against the tired legs of opponents. Substitute.
Mehdi Taremi – During the WC qualification stages, Taremi formed a lethal partnership with Azmoun, but in the past year has gone out of favor and form. The 4-4-2 he played often in is no longer used by CQ, and his painful misses in the world cup remain on the minds of CQ and the fans alike. He still has a lot to offer against Asian opponents, so he has a chance of starting against the weaker teams, but will most likely be used as an attacking substitute. Substitute/Starter.
Extra: Ali Gholizadeh – The talented winger just missed out on the World Cup squad but traveled as an extra man, and similarly for the Asian Cup has been kept as an extra but because of a recovering injury. Should the player recover he will likely replace a reserve player such as Montazeri. His inclusion would come with a sizeable role in the squad. Starter/Substitute.
Potential line ups include:
1.) Beiranvand; Hajsafi, Pouraliganji, Hosseini, Rezaeian; Ebrahimi, Cheshmi; Amiri, Ghoddos, Jahanbakhsh; Azmoun (4-2-3-1)
2.) Beiranvand; Mohammadi, Pouraliganji, Hosseini, Rezaeian; Ebrahimi, Hajsafi, Amiri, Jahanbakhsh; Taremi, Azmoun (4-4-2)
3.) Beiranvand; Mohammadi, Pouraliganji, Hosseini, Rezaeian; Ebrahimi; Amiri, Gholizadeh, Ghoddos, Jahanbakhsh; Azmoun (4-1-4-1)