Cakir, who officiated three matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, will be assisted by Bahattin Duran and Tarik Ongun.

Iran will face Morocco at the 67,000-seater St. Petersburg Stadium on Friday. The game will kick off at 6 p.m. Moscow time (15:00 GMT).

On Tuesday, FIFA announced that Argentine referee Nestor Pitana would take charge of Thursday's opening match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Iran and Morocco have been drawn in Group B along with 2010 World Cup champions Spain and Euro 2016 winners Portugal. 

Russia's first-ever FIFA World Cup starts on Thursday and will last until July 15.