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THE FACTS
When is England vs Iran on and what time does it start? England vs Iran will take place on Monday 21st November, 2022 – 13:00 (UK)
Where is England vs Iran taking place? England vs Iran will take place at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for England vs Iran? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for England vs Iran
What channel is England vs Iran on in the UK? England vs Iran will be televised live on BBC
Where can I stream England vs Iran in the UK? England vs Iran can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app
THE LOWDOWN
ENGLAND
- England head out to Qatar looking to take the final step that will see them end 56 years of hurt, having not won a major international trophy since 1966, most recently reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020.
- Of the squad named by Gareth Southgate, only attacking midfielder James Maddison is doubtful to play having not trained in recent days due to a knee problem, whilst Southgate will need to make a decision on whether to play a flat back four against a supposed ‘weaker side’, or opt for a back three with wing-backs.
IRAN
- Iran are set to take part in their third consecutive FIFA World Cup having qualified for the tournament in both 2014 and 2018 although they have not made it past the group stage in each of their last four World Cup appearances.
- Notable players for Iran include Porto striker Medhi Taremi, who has shone in this season’s UEFA Champions League and fellow forward Sardar Azmoun, scorer of the most international goals of any player within the Iranian squad, although the Bayer Leverkusen man has been nursing a calf injury and is unlikely to play despite being named in the squad.
THE TEAM NEWS
ENGLAND
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Bellingham, Rice; Saka, Mount, Sterling; Kane
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Maddison (Injured)
IRAN
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Beiranvand; Moharrami, Kanani, Khalilzadeh, Hajsafi; Ezatolahi; Jahanbakhsh, Nourollahi, Amiri, Torabi; Taremi
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Azmoun (Injured)
THE KEY STATS
- England have lost their opening match in just one of their last seven FIFA World Cup appearances (W3 D3)
- England are without a win in their last six international matches (D3 L3). This is their worst streak without a victory since April-June 1993
- Defeat for England would see them lose three successive matches at the finals for only the second time. They lost three in a row from 2010-2014 (last match of the 2010 finals and first two matches in 2014)
- This is only England’s second World Cup fixture against an AFC nation. The only previous game was a 1-0 victory vs Kuwait in 1982 (group stage)
- 13 of England’s squad have participated at the FIFA World Cup previously. Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson are featuring at a third successive edition of the tournament
- Harry Kane is two goals away from equalling Wayne Rooney’s record of 53 goals for England
- IR Iran won their opening match at the 2018 finals (W 1-0 vs Morocco)
- IR Iran kept a clean sheet in their opening match at each of the last two FIFA World Cup final tournaments
- IR Iran have won only two of their previous 15 FIFA World Cup matches (D4 L9)
- IR Iran’s record against European opposition at the FIFA World Cup is D2 L6
- IR Iran have scored more than one goal in only one of their previous 15 FIFA World Cup matches (a 2-1 victory vs USA in 1998)
- IR Iran coach Carlos Queiroz featuring in is his fourth FIFA World Cup as a coach (Iran 2014, 2018, 2022 and Portugal 2010). A total bettered only by Carlos Alberto Parreira (six) and Bora Milutinović (five)
- 16 of IR Iran’s squad have participated at the FIFA World Cup previously
- IR Iran coach Carlos Queiroz will be 69 years 265 days old on the day of this game. He will be the fourth oldest coach in World Cup history. If only for a matter of hours as Louis van Gaal will move above him when the Dutch play their opening fixture
THE PREDICTION
With the quality at England’s disposal, they have no excuse not to hit the ground running in Qatar. Historically, the Three Lions have started slowly in terms of performances and this is something that boss Southgate will no doubt want to rectify here. Whilst Iran pose a genuine threat going forward through the likes of Taremi, England contain far superior depth and attacking firepower, which the Iranian defence should be unable to cope with over 90 minutes. Expect England to win comfortably and by at least two clear goals.
TIP: ENGLAND TO WIN WITH -1 HANDICAP