Position: Midfielder
Born: 20.02.84
Club: Saipa

Arguably the most surprising inclusion in Iran's squad, Masoud Shojaei has nevertheless been tipped by Branko Ivankovic to be a star in Germany.

Part of a young squad that won the bronze medal at the recent West Asian Games in Doha, when his vast potential singled him out as one to watch, the 22-year-old is also coming off the back of a fine season in the Iranian domestic league with Saipa.

First called up by his country for the final qualifier against Laos, that was the only cap he had won when Ivankovic named his Finals squad.