6/7/2006
FIFAworldcup.com

Fresh from a fourth-place finish at last year's FIFA Confederations Cup, Mexico will look to continue their upward spiral as they open their FIFA World Cupâ„¢ bid against a youthful Iran side. The game, in Nuremberg's Frankenstadion on 11 June, could well prove vital to both sides' prospects in Group D.

Colours for the game

Mexico: green shirt, white shorts, white socks
Iran: red shirt, red shorts, red socks

The players

Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe has chosen an exciting blend of youth and experience ahead of this summer's tournament in Germany, keeping faith in the bulk of the side that sprung a surprise at last year's FIFA Confederations Cup. New sensation Andres Guardado and Villarreal's lethal forward Guillermo Franco have added strength in depth to an already potent mix.

Lavolpe's opposite number, Iran coach Branco Ivankovic is another who believes in the value of continuity, heading to Germany with the majority of players who have served him so well in qualifying. Supremely skilled Ali Karimi, veteran goal-poacher Ali Daei and creative midfielder Mehdi Mahdavikia are the leading lights in what many regard as Iran's finest team ever. Midfield schemer Mojtaba Jabari is the only major absentee, injury having prevented him making the trip to Europe.

How they qualified

Mexico sealed their place in Germany on the back of a second-place finish in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying. El Tri were also the competition's highest scoring team in the preliminary rounds.

Iran booked their ticket to their third FIFA World Cup by finishing second in Group B of the Asian Zone behind regional superpowers Japan.

Past meetings

Mexico and Iran have played each other just once, in a friendly game on 9 June 2001, the Mexicans running out 2-1 winners on that occasion.

Tournament history

Mexico are true FIFA World Cup veterans, having appeared on football's biggest stage a staggering 13 times. Both of their best performances came on home soil, with sixth-place finishes at Mexico 1970 and Mexico 1986.

Despite their rich footballing history, Germany 2006 is only Iran's third FIFA World Cup. The Asian side made their finals debut at Argentina in 1978, before reappearing at football's top table at France 98, the scene of their very first victory at this level, a 2-1 win over the USA.

Key contest

Rafael Marquez versus Ali Karimi . Marquez, Mexico's captain and undisputed star, is likely to be given the task of stopping the elusive Karimi. Solidity versus speed. Explosiveness versus reliability. Barcelona versus Bayern Munich. What more can you ask for?

The coaches

Highly controversial he may be, but Ricardo Lavolpe is tactically astute and particularly gifted at analysing opposing teams. He is also the first Mexican national team coach to complete the entire four-year cycle between FIFA World Cups since 1966, and he has the results to show for it. He guided Mexico to Germany with the minimum of fuss and presided over his side's excellent FIFA Confederations Cup displays.

Branko Ivankovic initially worked as assistant coach to Miroslav Blazevic, taking over from his former boss following Iran's failed qualifying campaign for Korea/Japan 2002. The Iranian authorities' faith has been amply repaid, with Ivankovic proving himself an intelligent coach, smoothly blending two generations of talented players into what many feel is the finest team in the country's short history.