Steve Foster
Well-known member
IRAN
Prospects
Iran are Asia's highest ranked team but are the outsiders in Group F, although few will relish facing them. They were dour and defensive in qualifying, with 10 clean sheets - the most of any side in Brazil. But their build-up is often slow and predictable and they were desperately short of cutting edge in recent friendlies against Belarus and Montenegro (both 0-0) and Angola (1-1). A bizarre squabble over badly fitting training kit does not bode well either.
Key player
Midfielder Javad Nekounam, 33, is captain and talisman, but the new golden boy is Reza Ghoochannejhad - Charlton's Iran-born, Dutch-raised forward.
The 26-year-old made his international debut last year and scored six goals in as many games in 2013.
The boss
Carlos Queiroz has been outspoken in his criticism of Iran's Football Federation, which he described as "lethargic, lacking ambition" when he took over in 2011. Despite resistance from conservative elements, he has called up several players who grew up outside of Iran, including USA-born Steven Beitashour. Portugal's coach in 2010, he has praised the passion of Iranian fans but admits he doesn't have a "magic wand" to solve the side's flaws. He will leave his post after Brazil.
How they qualified
Having made serene progress in the early stages, Iran's qualifying hopes were in jeopardy after managing just two goals and two wins in their opening five matches of the final group stage. But they ended the campaign with three successive victories, latterly beating South Korea away to top the group.
World Cup record
Iran have failed to progress from the group stage in their three appearances (1978, 1998, 2006), with their only win coming against the USA in 1998.
Fifa ranking
43
Squad
Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig), Alireza Haghighi (Sporting Covilha, on loan from Rubin Kazan), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan).
Defenders: Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir-Hossein Sadeghi (Esteghlal), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft), Hashem Beikzadeh (Esteghlal), Mehrdad Pouladi (Persepolis).
Midfielders: Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Ghasem Haddadifar (Zob Ahan), Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan).
Forwards: Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham), Masoud Shojaei (Las Palmas), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC Nijmegen), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton), Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Saz, on loan from Persepolis), Khosro Heydari (Esteghlal).
NIGERIA
After failing to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles have undergone a radical transformation under Steven Keshi, who has sought to lower the average age of the squad. His selection policy, at times controversial, has paid off - last year the Super Eagles won their first African title since 1994. They produced a competent showing at the Confederations Cup, but improvement is needed to reach the knockout stages in 2014.
Key player
Victor Moses has quickly become an integral figure since making his debut in 2012. He provided real cutting edge at this year's Africa Cup of Nations and was sorely missed at the Confederations Cup, for which he was injured.
The boss
Sacked as Togo coach a few months before the 2006 World Cup and likewise as Nigeria assistant in 2002, Stephen Keshi richly deserves the chance to finally test his managerial mettle on the grandest stage of all. He is considered a father figure by many players, but has had to fend off repeated criticism over his controversial focus on selecting youngsters ahead of bigger names. His contract expires after Brazil.
How they qualified
Easily. One of two unbeaten African sides (along with Ivory Coast), they ended five points clear in their group, then beat Ethiopia 4-1 in a play-off. They scored 11 goals - fewer than any other side who booked their place in Brazil.
World Cup record
The Super Eagles reached the last 16 in 1994 and 1998 but fell at the first hurdle in their two subsequent tournament appearances (2002 and 2010).
Fifa ranking: 44
Squad
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United).
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco), Efe Ambrose (Celtic), Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod), Joseph Yobo (Norwich, on loan from Fenerbahce), Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars).
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea), Ramon Azeez (Almeria), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio), Reuben Gabriel (Waasland-Beveren), Michael Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk).
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce), Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge), Peter Odemwingie (Stoke), Victor Moses (Liverpool, on loan from Chelsea), Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen).
Prospects
Iran are Asia's highest ranked team but are the outsiders in Group F, although few will relish facing them. They were dour and defensive in qualifying, with 10 clean sheets - the most of any side in Brazil. But their build-up is often slow and predictable and they were desperately short of cutting edge in recent friendlies against Belarus and Montenegro (both 0-0) and Angola (1-1). A bizarre squabble over badly fitting training kit does not bode well either.
Key player
Midfielder Javad Nekounam, 33, is captain and talisman, but the new golden boy is Reza Ghoochannejhad - Charlton's Iran-born, Dutch-raised forward.
The 26-year-old made his international debut last year and scored six goals in as many games in 2013.
The boss
Carlos Queiroz has been outspoken in his criticism of Iran's Football Federation, which he described as "lethargic, lacking ambition" when he took over in 2011. Despite resistance from conservative elements, he has called up several players who grew up outside of Iran, including USA-born Steven Beitashour. Portugal's coach in 2010, he has praised the passion of Iranian fans but admits he doesn't have a "magic wand" to solve the side's flaws. He will leave his post after Brazil.
How they qualified
Having made serene progress in the early stages, Iran's qualifying hopes were in jeopardy after managing just two goals and two wins in their opening five matches of the final group stage. But they ended the campaign with three successive victories, latterly beating South Korea away to top the group.
World Cup record
Iran have failed to progress from the group stage in their three appearances (1978, 1998, 2006), with their only win coming against the USA in 1998.
Fifa ranking
43
Squad
Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig), Alireza Haghighi (Sporting Covilha, on loan from Rubin Kazan), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan).
Defenders: Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir-Hossein Sadeghi (Esteghlal), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft), Hashem Beikzadeh (Esteghlal), Mehrdad Pouladi (Persepolis).
Midfielders: Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Ghasem Haddadifar (Zob Ahan), Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan).
Forwards: Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham), Masoud Shojaei (Las Palmas), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC Nijmegen), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton), Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Saz, on loan from Persepolis), Khosro Heydari (Esteghlal).
NIGERIA
After failing to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles have undergone a radical transformation under Steven Keshi, who has sought to lower the average age of the squad. His selection policy, at times controversial, has paid off - last year the Super Eagles won their first African title since 1994. They produced a competent showing at the Confederations Cup, but improvement is needed to reach the knockout stages in 2014.
Key player
Victor Moses has quickly become an integral figure since making his debut in 2012. He provided real cutting edge at this year's Africa Cup of Nations and was sorely missed at the Confederations Cup, for which he was injured.
The boss
Sacked as Togo coach a few months before the 2006 World Cup and likewise as Nigeria assistant in 2002, Stephen Keshi richly deserves the chance to finally test his managerial mettle on the grandest stage of all. He is considered a father figure by many players, but has had to fend off repeated criticism over his controversial focus on selecting youngsters ahead of bigger names. His contract expires after Brazil.
How they qualified
Easily. One of two unbeaten African sides (along with Ivory Coast), they ended five points clear in their group, then beat Ethiopia 4-1 in a play-off. They scored 11 goals - fewer than any other side who booked their place in Brazil.
World Cup record
The Super Eagles reached the last 16 in 1994 and 1998 but fell at the first hurdle in their two subsequent tournament appearances (2002 and 2010).
Fifa ranking: 44
Squad
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United).
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco), Efe Ambrose (Celtic), Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod), Joseph Yobo (Norwich, on loan from Fenerbahce), Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars).
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea), Ramon Azeez (Almeria), Ogenyi Onazi (Lazio), Reuben Gabriel (Waasland-Beveren), Michael Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk).
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle), Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce), Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge), Peter Odemwingie (Stoke), Victor Moses (Liverpool, on loan from Chelsea), Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen).
