Iran vs USA: 2022 World Cup, Group Stage Match Preview and Dream11 Predictions

Iran vs USA is going head to head in the final round of Group B fixtures at the World Cup, with both nations in with a great chance of reaching the knockout stages.

Match Details:

• Location: Al Thumama, Qatar
• Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
• Date: Tuesday 30 November
• Kick-off Time: 12:30 AM IST

Iran vs USA: Match Preview:

The two nations will tussle for the first time in a competitive game since then on Tuesday, and despite the backdrop of civil unrest in Iran, this contest goes ahead with nowhere near the same kind of political intrigue.

𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁: Take a peek inside the #USMNT's base camp in Qatar as the squad navigates the group stage 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/IpWTkguCtG

— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) November 28, 2022

Iran and the USA remain relatively hostile politically, but USA coach Gregg Berhalter was adamant that will not impact what occurs on the pitch during a game that is essentially a winner-takes-all encounter.

"I've played in three different countries, and I coached in Sweden, and the thing about soccer is you meet so many different people from all around the world, and you're united by a common love of the sport," Berhalter said.

Iran are calling for USA to be kicked out of the tournament! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/NFDLXZzWFg

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) November 28, 2022

"I envision the game being hotly contested for the fact that both teams want to advance to the next round – not because of politics or because of relations between our countries.

"We're soccer players and we're going to compete and they're going to compete and that's it."

Here is Tyler Adams with a brilliantly-handled response after being told he pronounced Iran wrong. He was also asked about discrimination against black people in America. This is why he's #usmnt captain.👏 pic.twitter.com/NCCMjMoGef

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) November 28, 2022

Iran can secure their place in the last 16 with a draw, but the USA – who drew their first two matches – need to win.

The USA were eliminated by Iran as a result of a 2-1 loss in that infamous 1998 duel, which was also one of seven defeats they have suffered on matchday three on World Cup group stages.

They've only won their third group game once.

But the USA produced a positive performance during the draw with England, and Berhalter is happy his team have their destiny in their own hands.

⚡️ BREAKING: #Iran football team captain defies regime, backs protests: "We have to accept that conditions in our country are not right & our people are not happy. They should know that we are with them. And we support them. And we sympathize with them regarding the conditions." pic.twitter.com/SX4kenXiTZ

— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) November 21, 2022

"We win or we're out of the World Cup, and that's going to be the focus of ours in preparing the team," he added.

"Any time you're in a World Cup and you get to go into the last game controlling your destiny, that's a pretty good thing."

Team News:

Iran:

Star striker Sardar Azmoun has only managed 81 minutes across Iran's first two games after coming to this World Cup off the back of an injury-hit start to his club season with Bayer Leverkusen.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh is suspended as a result of picking up two yellow cards so far, while Roozbeh Cheshmi is pushing for a start after scoring against Wales.

USA:

Gregg Berhalter resisted much team tinkering between the first two games, naming the same back four and midfield. The only change was Josh Sargent dropping out for Haji Wright against England. So far, the U.S. have lacked enough attacking penetration.

Giovanni Reyna's omission as a starter has been an odd saga, with claims from USMNT legend Eric Wynalda that the Borussia Dortmund teenager isn't actually injured as Berhalter had stated.

Iran vs USA: Head to Head:

This will be the third-ever meeting between Iran and USA, with the Stars and Stripes failing to win any of their previous two encounters.

They first squared off in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where Iran picked up a 2-1 victory, two years before both sides settled for a 1-1 draw in a friendly contest.

Predicted Line-ups:

Iran Starting 11 (4-4-2): H. Hosseini; Rezaeian, M. Hosseini, Pouraliganji; Mohammadi; Gholizadeh, Nourollahi, Ezatolahi, Hajsafi; Taremi, Ansarifard
Bench: Abedzadeh, Niazmand, Cheshmi, Torabi, Karimi, Khalilzadeh, Moharrami, Kanaani, Jalali, Amiri, Ghoddos, Azmoun

USA Starting 11 (4-3-3): Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Ream, Robinson; McKennie, Adams, Musah; Reyna, Ferreira, Pulisic
Bench: Horvath, Johnson, Moore, Scally, Yedlin, Carter-Vickers, Long, De La Torre, Weah, Sargent, Roldan

IRA vs USA: Dream11 Predictions:

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