Following a strong qualifying campaign, Iran are going to consecutive World Cups for the first time in their history. Having retained Manager Carlos Queiroz from their previous cycle, Team Melia will hope to build on their 2014 appearance. Fate has drawn them no favors as they’ll meet Morocco, Spain, and Portugal in the Group Stage. Should Iran hope to make it to the Round of 16–or win a match at the World Cup for the first time in 20 years–they’ll have to look to these three players.

Sardar Azmoun (Forward, 23, Rubin Kazan): In a tournament that feature the actual Messi, Lionel Messi, perhaps being considered “the Iranian Messi” isn’t all that impressive. However, such a superlative carries an immense amount of expectations, not limited to the hopes of a nation.

Azmoun enters the 2018 World Cup coming off a rather disappointing season for Russian side Rubin Kazan. The forward managed five goals and three assists in 26 appearances during the 2017-18 Russian Premier League season. Previously linked to Liverpool, Azmoun has still garnered transfer interest despite his meager output. Recently promoted English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers and Scottish Premiere League standard bearers Celtic being the suitors.

If Azmoun’s club form has been disappointing, his play for Team Melli is anything but. In 33 appearances for Iran, the young forward has 23 goals, with 11 of those goals coming in 14 World Cup qualifiers.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Winger, 24, AZ Alkmaar:) Iran’s second option might be their most dangerous. Currently playing for AZ Alkmaar, the two-footed winger led the Eredivisie in 2017-18 with 21 goals in 33 appearances. Goals are not the only thing he contributed to AZ Alkmaar, recording 12 assists in their most recent campaign. Pacey, creative, and goal-dangerous, Jahanbakhsh is a fullback’s nightmare. His stellar play in the Netherlands has caught the eyes of scouts in Italy’s Serie A, with runners-up Napoli rumored to be interested.

Jahanbakhsh’s club play has yet to translate to success at the international level, managing only two goals in his 14 World Cup qualifying appearances. If Iran hopes to see the Round of 16, the Group Stage needs to be Jahanbakhsh’s international coming-out party.

Saeid Ezatolahi (Midfielder, 21, FC Rostov:) Azmoun and Jahanbakhsh may get the goals and the acclaim, but Iran qualified for the 2018 World Cup behind their defense and if they have any hope of seeing the Round of 16, it is their defense that will get them there. Only 21 years of age, Ezatolahi is already a strong defensive presence for the Iranian side.

On loan from Russian rival FC Rostov, Ezatolahi spent the 2017-18 with Amkar Perm, where he featured 14 times and scored once. Strong in the tackle and standing 6’3”, Ezatolahi provides an excellent shield for the back four. The youngster is more than just a defensive presence, he is clean in possession and more than willing to be the catalyst that turns defense into attack.

Ezatolahi will be unavailable for the Iran’s crucial opening match again Morocco. The midfielder will be serving the second match of a two-match ban for stomping on South Korea midfielder Kim Min-jae during qualifying. Should Team Melli get the requisite result against Morocco, Ezatolahi’s return might be the defensive boon Iran need in their matches against Spain and Portugal.