Iran have learned their opponents at the 2018 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Blind Football World Championships.
Iran have learned their opponents at the 2018 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Blind Football World Championships.
The Iranian team, who came second in the 2016 Paralympic Games, have been drawn in Group B along with two-time world champions Argentina, Colombia and France, arguably the toughest of all.
The groups for the Championships were drawn in host city Madrid, Spain, on Monday.
Sixteen teams will play in four groups between 7 and 17 June at the Colegio Sagrado Corazón, Paralympic.org reported.
Defending champions Brazil have been drawn in Group D alongside England and two debutants: Central American champions Costa Rica and Mali.
Spain have been drawn in group A with Turkey, African champions Morocco and Thailand. The hosts will play Thailand in the opening match on 7 June.
Asian title holders China will play European gold medalists Russia, Mexico and South Korea in Group C.
The draw was hosted by IBSA Blind Football Committee Chairperson Ulrich Pfisterer. He was joined by a series of dignitaries and players, past and present, from Spanish football and sport.
Madrid 2018 gets underway on 7 June with the Opening Ceremony and the first group stage match. The quarter finals and play-offs begin on 13 June with the final taking place on 17 June. As well as the title on offer the competition is also an important step on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
All 44 matches will be held at the Colegio Sagrado Corazón which has capacity for 400 fans. Entry will be free to spectators.
Brazil are the favorites, having won four consecutive Paralympic titles and three successive world titles.
The competition will also be the biggest in history with six teams qualifying for the first time: Mexico, Costa Rica, Mali, European champions Russia, Thailand and Iran.
The 2018 IBSA Blind Football World Championships are being organized by FEDC and the Spanish National Organization for the Blind (ONCE).