Fifa World Cup 2022 match preview between Iran and England

At the 40,000-seat Khalifa International Stadium on Monday, England will play Iran in what is perhaps the most highly heated group match.

Due to the historically tense ties between the two nations, a worldwide tournament would have been the only opportunity for the football teams to meet, which they have done up until today.

Key Highlights

• Who: Iran vs. England, Group B
• Stadium Khalifa International
• When: November 21st, Monday (4pm local time, 13:00 GMT)
• England (number five), Iran (20)
• Head-to-head: Opening contest
• Iran -  L, W, L, W, D and England L, D, D, L, L in the previous five games. 

The four teams in the group are all ranked in the top 20, earning them the feared title "Group of Death," in addition to the political friction between Iran and its three Western group mates.

Considering their ranking, past performances, and tournament history, England are considered the favourites to advance from the group. The UEFA Nations League games played by Gareth Southgate's squad this summer resulted in three losses and three draws, which resulted in their relegation.

Southgate has selected a talented 26-man team for the World Cup and is banking on his star players from the Euro 2016 success to regain their best form. Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, and Bukayo Saka, among others, will assist Captain Harry Kane in spearheading the assault. A solid midfield is also provided by Mason Mount, Jude Bellingham, and Jordan Henderson. However, Southgate hasn't been able to prevent England's defence from allowing goals to slip through. This has been the team's biggest concern.

Mehdi Taremi, a famous striker for Iran, will lead the assault while being aided by Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

Carlos Queiroz, a Portuguese coach in Iran, will try to stifle the English offensive potential by using his defensive-heavy strategies. With victories against Lebanon and Uruguay in recent friendly, Iran has enjoyed a respectable run of success.

Iran won eight out of ten games during the second round of their World Cup campaign, topping their group ahead of South Korea. While Croatian coach Dragan Skocic oversaw the qualifying campaign, Team Melli fans will be hoping that Queiroz's comeback before to a major competition will be in their favour.

Iran will be hoping to leave their first match with at least a point. And with Wales and the other two teams in the group being the underperforming USA and highly placed Wales, Queiroz's squad will have a chance of pulling off an unexpected result and making it to the World Cup knockout phase for the first time.