TEHRAN – Iran international striker Karim Ansarifard says Team Melli will not be an easy opponent in World Cup.

Team Melli have been drawn in Group B of the 2018 World Cup along with Spain, Morocco and Portugal.

The Iran national football team will open the campaign with a match against Morocco at Saint Petersburg on June 15.

Team Melli, meanwhile, face Spain in Kazan on June 20 before meeting Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in Saransk five days later.

“We will do everything in our power to make history in the 2018 World Cup. We want to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time,” Ansarifard said.

“To progress to the World Cup knockout stage is our dream. We believe in ourselves and we can advance to the next stage,” Olympiacos striker added.

“We need to work hard to prepare for the competition. We will not be an easy opponent for Spain and Portugal,” Ansarifard stated.