The World Cup enters its second day as England begin their campaign against Iran in Group B after hosts Qatar lost to Ecuador on Sunday.
Gareth Southgate’s side will be looking for three key points to start their potentially tricky matches against the USA and Wales to come.
However, Iran will not be a minnow when they enter the World Cup ranked 20th in the world and have the ability to cause trouble for the Three Lions.
FA bosses are concerned that captain Harry Kane could receive a yellow card for wearing a OneLove armband at the World Cup.
Players wearing One Love armbands at Qatar World Cup could be booked before kick-off
England have often started well under Gareth Southgate in major tournaments, previously beating Croatia at Euro 2020 and Tunisia at the last World Cup.
Iran qualified for the World Cup for the third time in a row, their longest run, and will be looking to build on strong performances in Russia last time out, where, despite exiting in the group stage, they put up credible fights against Spain and Portugal.
With the crash fast approaching, sports mail takes you through everything you need to know below.
When is England vs Iran?
England were up early to start their World Cup campaign against Iran on Monday 21 November. The game will start at 1pm GMT, 8am EST in the US and 11pm ET.
Date: monday november 21
Weather: 1pm (UK time), 8am (US EST), 11pm (Australian EST)
Gareth Southgate hopes his England team can pick up three points to open the campaign
How to watch the game
The England vs Iran game will be broadcast live on BBC One for UK viewers. If you’re looking to stream the game, you should head over to BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport website. The game will be free for all UK viewers with a TV license.
US-based World Cup fans can watch the match on Fox Sports 1 and the Fox Sports website with a valid login. Sling TV, Fubo.TV, and Peacock will also screen the game.
Australian fans can watch the game for free on SBS, including the live stream.
UK: BBC One and BBC iPlayer
U.S: Fox Sports, Sling TV, Fubo.TV and Peacock
Australia: SBS and SBS on demand
The game will be broadcast live on the BBC and streamed on BBC iPlayer for viewers in the UK.
Where is England vs Iran played?
England’s clash with Iran will take place at the Khalifa International Stadium, which is located in Al Rayyan, just west of Doha.
The Khalifa International Stadium has a capacity of around 45,000, divided into three levels. The venue, which was built in 1976, was initially renovated in 2005, before undergoing another makeover between 2014 and 2017.
The stadium will host several group stage matches, as well as a round of 16 tie and the match for third place.
Location: Al Rayyan, Qatar
Stadium: The Khalifa International Stadium
The Khalifa International Stadium will host the opening match of Group B of the World Cup
England vs Iran: team news
Bukayo Saka is set to start ahead of Phil Foden with Southgate to name an attacking line-up for England’s opener.
As well as the early inclusion of Saka, the England boss is also set to unleash wonder kid Jude Bellingham on the World Cup stage.
The England boss is keen to keep faith with Harry Maguire in central defense despite his problems at club level. John Stones is expected to play alongside Maguire.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka (left) will start in place of Phil Foden in England’s opening match.
Kieran Trippier and Luke Shaw are hoping to be selected at full-back, while Declan Rice and Mason Mount could get the nod alongside Bellingham in midfield.
Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane should join Saka in attack for England, while Jordan Pickford will play in goal.
Iran could pose a threat to England and will be relying on Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi to try and lead them to a shock Group B victory.
England team:
Goalkeepers: Jordan PickfordNick PopeAaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Eric Dier, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Conor Coady, Ben White, Trent Alexander-Arnold
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips
Forward: James Maddison, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Callum Wilson, Marcus Rashford
Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun is likely to be the main threat against England on Monday.
Iran team:
Goalkeepers: Alireza Biranvand, Amir Abedzadeh, Seyed Hossein Hosseini, Payam Niazmand
Defenders: Ramin Rezaiyan, Sadegh Moharami, Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Morteza Pouraliganji, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Abolfazl Jalali, Milad Mohammadi, Rozbe Cheshmi, Seyed Majid Hosseini
Midfielders: Saeid Ezatolahi, Ahmad Nourollahi, Ali Karimi, Saman Ghoddos, Vahid Amiri, Ali Gholizadeh, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Ehsan Hajsafi
Forward: Karim Ansarifard, Sardar Azmoun, Mehdi Tarami, Mehdi Torabi
head to head record
This will be the first time that England vs Iran will be played in an official game.
Group B matches
- England vs Iran – Monday, November 21
- USA vs. Wales – Monday, November 21
- Wales vs. Iran – Friday, November 25
- england vs usa – Friday, November 25
- Wales v England – Tuesday, November 29
- Iran vs USA – Tuesday, November 29
