Iran National Team World Cup Betting
Any result that Iran secures at the 2022 World Cup will be that much sweeter since Iran is in the same group as two of its biggest geopolitical rivals. Iran has been placed in a group with the United States and England, and that will lead to a lot of intrigue over the next several months. Team Melli is considered a longshot to advance to the knockout rounds, but Iran has surprised the doubters in the recent past.
Manager: Dragan Skocic
Nickname: Team Melli
Confederation: AFC (Asia)
FIFA Ranking: 21 (March 2022)
Iran World Cup Betting Odds
To Win Group B: +2100
To Win 2022 World Cup: +75000
*Odds as of May 4, 2022
Iran Group Stage Schedule
England vs. Iran, Monday, November 21, 2022, 8 a.m. ET, at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan (FS1)
European Playoff Winner vs. Iran, Friday, November 25, 2022, 5 a.m. ET, at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan (FS1)
Iran vs. United States, Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 2 p.m. ET, at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha (FOX)
History at the World Cup
Appearances: 6 (first in 1978)
Best Result: Group stage (1978,1998, 2006, 2014, 2018)
Iran was not a FIFA member until after World War II, and the country opted not to enter World Cup qualifying until the 1970s. They nearly qualified for the World Cup in their first try in 1974 and did make it to the 1978 World Cup. Team Melli failed to make the knockout rounds, but they did secure a draw with Scotland for their first result on this stage.
The country withdrew from the 1982 World Cup and was disqualified from the 1986 World Cup because of the ongoing war with Iraq. Iran failed to qualify in 1990 and 1994, but they made history at the 1998 World Cup. They were placed in a group with the United States and bested their rivals 2-1 to secure their first win at the World Cup.
We have seen Iran make it to the World Cup five times, but they have yet to make it out of the Group Stage. Iran finished 0-1-2 at the 2006 World Cup and the 2014 World Cup, yet they nearly made it to the Round of 16 last cycle in Russia. They were the beneficiary of an own goal from Morocco in the fifth minute of extra time to give Iran a 1-0 win in its first match, and they surprisingly drew Portugal thanks to a late penalty conversion from Karim Ansarifard.
It would be remiss not to mention the great Ali Daei here. Daei is the greatest player in Iranian history, scoring 109 goals in 149 matches from 1993 to 2006. No other player has more than 50 goals, but Sardar Azmoun is trying to change that in the very near future.
What to Watch
The most talented player on the roster is Sardar Azmoun. He has notched 40 goals in 62 matches for Iran, and he was superb during his time with Zenit Saint Petersburg. Azmoun tallied 52 goals in 79 matches with the Russian juggernauts before moving to Bayer Leverkusen in January. He was unable to score on the last World Cup, but he has his sights set on glory this time around.
Karim Ansarifard was heralded as the next Ali Daei, and he should be ready for the World Cup after missing the last set of international games because of a bizarre eye injury. Ansarifard has been a star in the Greek league for some time, and he has 29 goals in 92 appearances for Team Melli.
The other big name to watch is Alireza Jahanbakhsh. He did not live up to his club record fee during his time at Brighton, but he has thrived in the Netherlands as part of AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord. Jahanbakhsh only has 12 goals in 61 matches, but he can set up his teammates and find the back of the net himself as well.
Log into BookMaker Sportsbook and get the best Soccer Betting Odds, Soccer Betting Articles and information about this and all other sports betting events!
