“Iran has been drawn in a very difficult group because Portugal and Spain are among the best teams in Europe but Iran also is a good team and has good players,” Dalic said in an interview with Tasnim.

Asked whether there is a possibility that Iran could qualify for the next stage, Dalic said, “Why not. All groups are difficult. There is 32 teams in the World Cup and we have no easy opponent in the competition.”

“I know some Iranian teams because my teams played with them in the AFC Champions League and never lost to the Iranian teams,” the former Al Ain coach added.

Croatia has been drawn with Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria in Group D.

“The Nigerians is an unknown team and we have to study them well,” Dalic stated.

“It is the first in its qualifying group without defeat but we have time to prepare everything, including the choice of camp.

“We are starting with the analysis to be ready for the World Cup, and the most important thing is for our players to be healthy and true, and we will be looking for friendly rivals outside Europe, from Africa, because we all know most about Europeans.”