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

England vs Iran is the upcoming match as England tries to bid to end a 56-year wait for a second World Cup begins against Iran on Monday.

Match Details:

• Location: Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
• Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
• Date: Monday 21 November
• Kick-off Time: 6:30 PM IST
• Watch: Sports 18/HD and Jio Cinema App

England vs Iran: Match Preview:

So, the time has finally come. It feels odd to be talking about an actual match rather than the well documented controversies surrounding the first (and hopefully last) winter World Cup.

Thus, it feels fitting that England begin their campaign against a country that should be banned from the tournament as the Islamic Republic continues to oppress its own people.

But for the sake of this preview, I will follow the wishes of Gianni Infantino and 'stick to the football'.

England breezed through qualifying for Qatar 2022, and had the best goals difference of any European side, scoring 39 and conceding just three. The Three Lions were penalty kicks away from winning Euro 2020, building on their impressive World Cup run in Russia that ended in the semi-finals.

And yet, pressure is still heavy on manager Gareth Southgate. This tournament feels like now or never for Southgate, and despite unconvincing recent form, this remains a highly talented squad.

Team News:

England:

Gareth Southgate selected Kyle Walker despite the defender's struggles with a groin injury. Walker hasn't featured for Manchester City since the first week of October and was deemed "not yet ready" to play by Pep Guardiola as recently as last weekend.

England alternate between a 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-2-1 depending on the opposition. Against an Iran side that will likely defend in a mid-block, Southgate may opt for the system with an extra forward option.

Iran:

Iran's chief injury concern revolves around Sardar Azmoun. The leading international goalscorer in the squad has been out with a calf injury since the start of October. In place of Azmoun, Carlos Queiroz may turn to the experienced Karim Ansarifard.

England vs Iran: Head to Head:

England have never faced Iran in an international competition and will meet for the first time at the FIFA World Cup.

Iran are winless in their eight matches against European opponents in the FIFA World Cup and have lost six of these matches.

Predicted Line-ups:

England Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Bellingham, Rice; Saka, Mount, Sterling; Kane.

Bench: Pope, Ramsdale, Walker, Dier, Coady, Alexander-Arnold, White, Henderson, Phillips, Foden, Maddison, Gallagher, Grealish, Rashford, Wilson.

Iran Starting 11 (4-1-4-1): Beiranvand; Moharrami, Kanani, Khalilzadeh, Hajsafi; Ezatolahi; Jahanbakhsh, Nourollahi, Amiri, Taremi; Ansarifard.

Bench: Niazmand, Abedzadeh, H Hosseini, Mohammadi, Pouraliganji, Cheshmi, M Hosseini, Rezaeian, Jalali, Ghoddos, Torabi, Ghlozadeh, Karimi, Azmoun.

ENG vs IRA: Dream11 Predictions: