England will be looking to show they mean business at this year’s World Cup by avoiding any slip-up against Iran in their Group B opener on Monday.
The Three Lions followed up 2018’s run to the semi-finals with a runners-up medal at the European Championships last summer, but Nations League relegation in September has cast doubts over whether they can replicate any of that success in Qatar this winter.
Looking to take advantage of England’s poor run of form in 2022 is Iran, who are targeting a shock qualification from Group B in their third consecutive World Cup finals. The 2019 Asian Cup semi-finalists will hope to make the most of their underdog status against the Three Lions.
