How will Iran do on the World Cup 2006?
344114
Iran will definately not lose in their group.  I think that they will come out second in their group.  In my opinion, Mexico will win the group, and Iran will surprise everyone by upsetting Portugal to take the second spot and move to the second round.
459625
The Iran national football team is the national team of Iran and is controlled by the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation and is one of the strongest teams in Asia. Iran play their home games in the massive Azadi (Freedom) Stadium which was built in the mid 1970s with a capacity of over 100,000. Iran is also known as Team Melli.\n\nIran won the Asian Cup three times in a row (1968, 1972, 1976) and have finished third four times. In 1978, Iran made its first appearance in the World Cup and lost two of their three group stage games against the Netherlands and Peru. However, they managed to create a shocker by drawing against the famous Scotland side 1-1 on a late Iraj Danaeifard goal.\n\nAfter the 1979 Revolution, football was somewhat neglected and cast aside during the mid 1980s due to internal unrest and the Iran-Iraq War although rumors saying that Iran didn't play football during that time are untrue. Football managed to make its revival in the early 1990s with new talent like Ali Daei, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Khodadad Azizi and Karim Bagheri. In November 1997, Iran qualified for the 1998 World Cup after beating Australia in a controversial playoff series. Both games finished undecided, but Iran qualified due to the away goals rule. Iran held Australia to a 1-1 draw at home, and a 2-2 draw in Melbourne. Because Iran scored more away goals than Australia they qualified for the 1998 World Cup. Iran recorded their first win in the World Cup final tournament in 1998, 2-1 against the USA.\n\nThis Iran vs USA World Cup match was preheated with much excitement on both sides because of the countries political stance on each other after the Revolution in Iran. However, in an act of defiance against all forms of hatred or politics in sports both sides took ceremonial pictures embracing each other and gave each other gifts and flowers before kickoff.\n\nThe number of "footy fanatics" in Iran has increased exponentially in the last two decades. Football can be seen everywhere in Iran. Kids playing football in narrow streets is a very common sight, particularly south and east of Tehran. This style of football named "gol-koocheak" ("small-net") is normally played with the signature purple or red and white balls sold almost in every Iranian "dokoon" or convenience store. Street football is usually played with "dolayeh" ("two-layered") or "selayeh" (triple-layered) plastic balls, because the single rubber ball alone is hard to control. One plastic ball is cut and the other is forced into its hard plastic shell to make a "dolayeh" plastic ball. Because street football is played in small, closed areas (and often with very small nets) children who play football in Iran's streets and similarly Iranian footballers are technically gifted.\n\nOn June 8, 2005, Iran together with Japan became the first country to qualify for the 2006 World Cup making it Iran's 3rd appearance on the world stage of football. The qualification round both in 2001 and 2004-05 resulted in mass celebrations, hysteria and rioting causing internal chaos and unrest between youth and government officials.\n\nIran are, as of 2006, ranked within the Top 20 of the FIFA World Rankings with its current ranking at #19.
388267
In my opinion they have very slim chances of even going to the playoffs, considering their group. Mexico and Portugal are 2 of the most strongest soccer nations in the planet and considering only the first 2 of each group go to the playoff stage, Iran probably will be fighting for the 3rd position. They are the underdogs, but in this case, I don't think there is much to do.
1027914
Iran has a football team?
353978
I am not expecting too much from Iran. \nThey might not make it to the next round.
1158381
It will be very difficult for Iran, and reasonably possible for Sweden.\n\nIran is going to have to at least tie Portugal.  I think this will be difficult, and then they need to make sure that they get enough of a positive goal difference on Angola.  I think it will be very hard for Iran to do both of these.\n\nSweden has much better odds (IMO)
392206
I'd advise you to keep an eye on Iran.  Success at the World Cup is about passion.  Look at France and Argentina in 2002.  Neither advanced beyond the group stage because they didn't play with a desire to win, but with the expectation that they would win.  Iran has a decent team in a difficult group with Mexico and Portugal.  If Iran advances out of that group, it will be because of their players' hearts and desire to win for their country, not necessarily because they are better than Mexico or Portugal.  Think about the political situation in Iran right now.  The people are besieged with pressure from the West and the government censors so much of the Western media.  The people's outlet is soccer, and the Iranian team's players know that.  Assuming that Iran advances into the Round of 16, they will have momentum and confidence and can win at least one elimination game.  They may even be able to give their Round of 8 opponent a difficult time, as the US did against Germany in 2002.  That would be a significant achievement for a team that has only been to the finals 3 times, and it could start Iran on the road to regular qualifications in the future.  That's the meaning of breakout.
515519
I am deciding to answer this question first with a middle finger to a bastard here ""lord_dups76 "" who has the guts to mix sports and politics. What sports has to do with Nuclear technology????!!! Silly Ugly face. We are paying the price for dummy bastards like this one.\n\nBut we go back to Iran qualifying from the group stage. Yes I believe Iran and Portugal will qualify from the group based on these reasons:\n1- Iran has always won against Central and North American .. The worst they have done has been a 1-1 against Canada  while they have won many other games against USA, Canada, Panama, Costa Rica and Jamaica. \n2- Iran has always played good against Africans. watching Iran humiliate Angola in this world cup would be a joy.\n3- Iran has more stars who play in Germany and Italy than Mexico. Mexico is not as strong as Iran . They are overrated and luck.\n4- Playing in Germany is like playing at home for Iranians. Even in FIFA world cup's last publications has been mentioned that Iranians will play in their other Aryan home, Germany. Mahdavi Kia is the Captain of Hamburg- Runner Up Bundes Liga from next season and he is the most popular footballer of the region.  Hashemian is loved in Hanover. Karimi is the magician of Bayern and many others. Daei doesn't need to be even introduced because as the top goal Scorer of the world , he will be there to direct the team with his experience.\n\nChaparitos should watch Iran scoring from the beginning of the match.\n\nSo my prediction:\nIran 2 Mexico 1\nIran 0 Portugal 1\nIran 4 Angola 0 \nIran will qualify with six points..
418700
Iran 0-2 Portugal\nIran 1-2 Angola\nIran 0-3 Mexico \n\nThey might have no change of winning a group game
378622
I'm sorry but Iran doesn't make it out of the first round, it will be Mexico and Portugal advancing to the next round...
414447
Are you IRANian?\n\nI am and I cant wait!\n\nIran 1 - 0 Mexico\nIran 1 - 2 Portugal\nIran 2 - 0 Angola\n\nand we will go through!\n\nHopefully Karimi will be back and Mirzahpour will get his act together...\n\nIRAN SHIRREH! :)
977977
It will be tough with Rep. Of Ireland, Czech Republic and Germany in your group. \n\nMy group prediction - 3rd (play-off)
1159750
I really hope Iran will win. But it will be a very close and exciting game as both teams have way too much pride on the line. Mexico has their reputation to defend, and the young Iranian team has a lot to show for. Perhaps Iran will answer the June 2002 friendly game 2-1 loss to Mexico by winning 2-1 this time. Specially since the Mexican first choice goal-keeper had to fly back home due to the sudden death of his father.  Hope he can get through this sad and tough time and pick himself back up for future games.
436464
It's Bayern Munich's Karimi. He's awesome, hopefully he'll get back in shape after his injury. he's been out of commission for a few weeks. Also, it's too bad Iran doesn't have many other players that can help Karimi out. It's gonna be too bad for Iran in the WC cuz Karimi has to carry that team on his shoulders. It may be enough to beat unprepared teams, but I don't think he will be enough to beat Mexico nor Portugal.
1114217
I agree with you, but i think they have proven something by just being in the world cup, because it is a long way to qualify for the World Cup. I also agree with Iran, and Trinidad, because Iran is a though team, and trinidad gave a pretty good defence in the last two games. But if you remeber Croatia made it to the quarter finals in their last World Cup, or 1998 i don't really remember.
1083820
A hard question,but wanna mention that they r both good teams!(don't try 2 b prejudiced),& I WISH Iran will win.\nIran is just going on WELL.I'm not saying this. those playings says it all.Iran has won Bosnia 5-2! & a team of Germany 5-0,recently,almost can say; won Croatia 2-2.But d injury of Karimi & Mahdavikia seems...(heard they r not bad)\nany way It will b a gr8 match, don't loooose it!
1176684
Good question...\n\nMexico is "en fuego" (on fire) right now.  They are definitely one of the teams to beat early in the quest for the Cup.\n\nI am going to say 2-1 Mexico.  Iran has some good strikers and offensive capabilities.  But the real question will be if they can hold their own defensively.\n\nViva Mexico!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!