World Cup 2014: Ashkan Dejagah makes Iran squad

Fulham midfielder Ashkan Dejagah has been included in Iran boss Carlos Queiroz's 23-man World Cup squad.

Dejagah played 21 league games for the Cottagers this season, scoring five goals in a difficult campaign as they were relegated.

Charlton's Reza Ghoochannejhad also survived the cut from the 28-man squad.

Rubin Kazan's 19-year-old forward Sardar Azmoun was the only European-based player to be dropped from the provisional selection.

The other players to miss out are keeper Sousha Makani, defender Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh and forwards Mohammad Reza Khalatbari and Mehdi Sharifi.

Forward Ali Karimi, who won 127 caps, was not even included in their initial training squad.

Iran play Argentina, Bosnia and Nigeria in Group F.

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).