Harry Kane back in World Cup mode?

Although the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is sure to produce a different atmosphere to that of summer fan festivals and public viewing, the biggest teams on the planet travel to the Middle East in pursuit of the title. Among others, the Three Lions from England must be counted among the illustrious circle of World Cup favourites.

So far, Gareth Southgate’s team has not managed to ignite euphoria in the fan camp, but at the latest when the World Cup starts, people in the motherland of football will be rooting for their own team. In the opening match, the English will first meet an underdog, as they will face Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Team Melli will naturally be hoping to finally make it past the preliminary round in their sixth World Cup appearance. This has never been achieved before and, to be honest, one has to say that the chances are better this year than ever before. Group B is completed with the teams from Wales and the United States. The Iranians should not be completely without a chance.

Of course, England is the heavyweight in this group. Anything less than winning the group would certainly be a disappointment for the European runners-up. But if we believe the bookmakers’ predictions for the clash between England and Iran, the Three Lions should start the World Cup with a win. However, we also know that the first game of a major tournament is rarely the easiest.

England vs. Iran – Tickets & Stadium capacity

The Khalifa International Stadium is a traditional stadium in Doha. In 2011, matches of the Asian Championships were already held there. In 2019, the World Athletics Championships were held in this arena and the 2019 Club World Cup was also partially staged in this stadium. This arena holds 40,000 spectators and one can assume that all the seats will be filled in the duel between England and Iran.

The journey from Iran to Qatar is much shorter than from the British Isles. In addition, the 2022 World Cup does not have a particularly good reputation in Europe. Therefore, there will probably be more supporters from Iran in the stadium. Nevertheless, many supporters of the Three Lions are also expected in Doha.

England – Team & Info

The English Premier League is widely regarded as the strongest national league in the world. However, the Three Lions too rarely manage to play a corresponding role in major tournaments. Since 1966, the motherland of football has been waiting for a major trophy in the men’s game. At the moment, however, it does not look as if Gareth Southgate will be able to end this long drought in Qatar.

Perhaps it’s the sting of losing the European Championship final that still sits deep with the English, because the Three Lions didn’t manage much after that. In the just-concluded Nations League, England were relegated to Division B after failing to pick up a single win in two games each against Germany, Italy and Hungary.

Six games without a win

If we see the Nations League as preparation for the World Cup, then it will be difficult for the Three Lions to even make it through the group stage. The English have now gone six games without a win and yet in the clash between England and Iran, the prediction has to go for a reasonably clear victory for the Brits.

But if the English manage to get close to their normal form and record the expected victory against Iran, then things might go a long way. However, the Three Lions should already face a tough opponent in the round of 16 in the form of Senegal or Holland.

Iran – Team & Info

For decades, Team Melli has been one of the best teams in Asia. However, the last continental title was also 46 years ago. Nevertheless, they have often been among the top teams at the Asian Championships. However, the Iranians have not yet achieved anything at the World Cup. Out of a total of 15 World Cup matches, the Asians have won just two.

Nevertheless, it has to be said that Carlos Queiroz has significantly raised the level of this team since 2011, even though he has spent a total of three years in Colombia and Egypt in the meantime. Since the beginning of September, he has been preparing the Iranians for a third consecutive World Cup. Four years ago in Russia, they narrowly missed advancing in the preliminary round with four points.

Best Asian team in qualifying

This year, the Iranians want to do better. In January, they became the first Asian team to qualify for the World Cup. In the final group stage, they even managed to finish ahead of the strong South Koreans. In the last two years, Team Melli has suffered only two defeats in 20 international matches. As recently as September, they even managed a 1-0 victory over Uruguay.

The Iranian squad includes many players who have made a name for themselves in strong European leagues. Ehsan Hajsafi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Karim Ansarifard and Serdar Azmoun are just a few examples. The Iranians are certainly only outsiders in Group B and there shouldn’t be much they can do against England, but it wouldn’t be a sensation if Team Melli made it to the last 16.

England – Iran in Head-to-Head

At World Cups in particular, you meet opponents here and there with whom you have had no previous contact. That’s generally what makes the big football stage so appealing. However, the paths of the English and the Iranians have not yet crossed. Neither in a World Cup, the Confederations Cup nor in a test match have the two national teams fought a duel.

England vs. Iran World Cup 2022 – Favourites

At a major tournament, everything is already at stake in the preliminary round. With three games to play, you can’t afford to slip up in the group stage. Therefore, the clash between England and Iran already has a special significance, especially for the Three Lions, who will go into this clash as heavy favourites.

Betting on a simple win for the Europeans in this duel is unlikely to be worthwhile, as the odds are only in the region of 1.30. So if you don’t bet on the outcome of the match, what would be the suitable alternative?

Harry Kane will certainly do everything he can to defend his title as World Cup top scorer. The Tottenham Hotspur superstar will therefore be eager to score in the first match. Therefore, we can imagine predicting more than 2.5 goals in this group match between England and Iran, especially since we have to assume that the 1966 World Champions will be under constant pressure for the time being.