Iran National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

غلام رضا سالاری · مهدی گنجی · مجتبی بیکار · مهدی درویشی · عیسی نوروزی · غلام رضا آرامی · حمید رحیمی · علی موسی زاده · عیسی نوروزی · عبدالرضا احمدی · امیر دریایی

Iran relies on a heavy press and rapid transitions through a 3-5-2 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and move the play forward with verticality. The team focuses on controlling the central areas while using wide midfielders to provide width.

عبدالرضا احمدی guards the goal as the last line of defense. The back three consists of امیر دریایی, علی موسی زاده, and عیسی نوروزی. امیر دریایی acts as the right side defender to cover the flank, while علی موسی زاده sits central to win the header and clear the lines. عیسی نوروزی occupies the left side of the defensive unit. This group stays compact to defend zonally and prevent runners from getting behind them.

The midfield functions with a single pivot and several runners. حمید رحیمی acts as the sitter to shield the defence and protect the back three. مهدی درویشی and عیسی نوروزی operate as the central engine, with مهدی درویشی looking to carry the ball forward and عیسی نوروزی working to intercept passes. The team uses two attacking midfielders, غلام رضا آرامی and مجتبی بیکار, to operate in the half spaces. These players link the midfield to the attack by finding space between the lines and pressing in a mid-block when the ball is lost.

Iran attacks with a two man forward partnership. مهدی گنجی and غلام رضا سالاری lead the line as two forwards. مهدی گنجی works to hold up the ball and find the feet of the striker, while غلام رضا سالاری looks to make runs in behind the opposition defence. The width comes from the wide midfielders who pull wide to stretch the defence and provide crosses. When the team transitions, the ball moves quickly to the forwards to catch the opponent out of position.

This formation offers Iran significant numerical superiority in the center of the pitch. The presence of حمید رحیمی alongside the central midfielders makes it difficult for opponents to play through the middle. The team also benefits from the ability to press in coordinated waves using the advanced midfielders and the two forwards. This creates pressure that forces a long ball from the opposition.

This 3-5-2 formation is built for a high intensity game where winning the second ball is vital. Iran will find success against teams that struggle to defend the central channels or players who cannot handle a heavy press.