Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has named his 23-man squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Mohammadreza Khalatbari, the Persepolis striker who was a first-team regular during qualifying, and Rubin Kazan’s 19-year-old forward Sardar Azmoun are among the four players that have been omitted from the 28-man provisional squad.
Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh of Zob Ahan has been named as reserve player and could replace the injured Hashem Beikzadeh should the left-back not recover from a calf muscle injury before the start of the tournament.
Team Melli face Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Nigeria in Group F.
Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan Isfahan), Alireza Haqiqi (Sporting da Covilha)
Defenders: Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir Hossein Sadeqi (Esteghlal), Hashem Beykzadeh (Esteghlal), Mehrdad Pouladi (Persepolis), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft Tehran), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal SC), Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Midfielders: Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Ghasem Hadadifar (Zob Ahan Isfahan), Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad), Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan Isfahan)
Forwards: Khosrow Heidari (Esteghlal), Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC), Masoud Shojaei (UD Las Palmas), Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham).
