Steven Reid does not expect a two-leg play-off against Iran to trouble the Republic of Ireland side who knocked Holland out of the World Cup.
Manager Mick McCarthy was in Abu Dhabi yesterday to watch Iran overcome the United Arab Emirates 3-0 in the second leg of their Asian zone World Cup qualifying play-off to earn a 4-0 aggregate win.
The result means McCarthy's side will face Iran in Dublin on November 10th and Tehran five days later in a bid to book their place at next year's finals in Japan and South Korea.
Millwall midfielder Reid, called into the Ireland squad, said: "For them [Iran] to get as far as they have they are clearly a good side, but we showed against Holland that we can beat anyone, so we have nothing to fear."
Reid, however, admits to knowing little about Ireland's opponents, who are coached by Miroslav Blazevic, the man who led Croatia to a third-place finish at the 1998 World Cup in France.
"All I know is that they are one of the strongest teams in the Asian group and I think it will be a very tough game," said Reid.
"We've got a squad with world-class players throughout and I wouldn't have thought there will be that many nerves.
"It was equally nerve-wracking against Holland, knowing we needed something if we were to get through.
"We know if we win the next two games we will be there and with players like Roy Keane in the squad you expect to get a result."
Reid has a hamstring injury which kept him out of last night's Division One match against Wolves, but hopes to return at the weekend and be in contention for Ireland in Dublin a week on Saturday.
If he can prove his fitness he will travel for the second leg in spite of the current unrest in the Middle East. With a tendency to riot after matches - either in celebration of victory or despair at defeat - Iranian fans could present a daunting prospect.
But McCarthy expects no problems for Irish players flying there during the political tension, and Reid said: "I'm delighted to be in the squad for such a massive pair of games, and to be honest I'd go anywhere to be involved."
"I'll be there provided I can shake off this knock, and I think I should be okay to travel.
"To play in the World Cup finals would be a dream and if we need to travel to these places then so be it."
Striker Clinton Morrison will also go to the Middle East if named in the squad.
Morrison, who has played a starring role in Crystal Palace's early season success in Nationwide League Division One, said: "I would be a little bit scared to go, but I definitely want to be there.
"It would be a great chance for me to maybe become part of the team."
The FAI's Brendan McKenna said: "There's no indication that any of the squad will not travel. Mick (McCarthy) has said that if any don't want to go he can't force them - and he can't.
"It will be their decision if they decide not to go. But Mick went to the Middle East himself and said he wouldn't expect them to go anywhere he hasn't."