World Cup: An in-depth look at Iran’s opponents in Group B

Photo Credit: The History Of Soccer

The waiting time for kick-off in Qatar is finally over. The hosts will raise the curtain at their own party against Ecuador on November 20th, and The Maroon will be hoping home support can spur them beyond the group stages for the first time in their history, just as hosts Russia did four years ago. The 2022 FIFA World Cup marks Iran’s third consecutive appearance on football’s biggest stage. Oddschecker, which compares World Cup odds and offers, haven’t given Carlos Queiróz's side much hope for the tournament, but Iran will be looking to build on a relatively successful showing in 2018.  

After defeating Morocco in their opening game of 2018 courtesy of a 95th-minute winner, Queiróz knew that one more positive result would see his side through to the last 16. They couldn't get that win in their second game, in which Iran were impressive in a losing effort against 2010 champions Spain. But it very, very nearly came in the final game against Portugal.

Ricardo Quaresma gave the then-reigning European Champions the lead with a wonder strike on the stroke of halftime, before Iran equalized in the 93rd minute thanks to a Karim Ansarifard penalty. Deep into injury time, Mehdi Taremi spurned a golden opportunity to give the underdogs victory, a result that would have seen them top the group and face off with Russia in the last 16. 

As we all know, in the end it wasn’t to be, and attention now turns to 2022. Iran’s opponents in Qatar aren’t as menacing Spain and Portugal were previously. Here’s an in-depth look at who they will face in the upcoming World Cup, and what Carlos Queiróz can expect from his opponents.  

England 

The most ominous of Iran’s upcoming challenges is, of course, England. The Three Lions often disappoint when it mattered the most but, in recent years, things seem to be falling into place. Spearheaded by captain Harry Kane and supported by a host of young talent such as Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Jude Bellingham, Gareth Southgate’s side reached the final of the European Championships last summer. 

That run ended in heartbreak courtesy of another penalty shootout defeat, but England certainly seem to be on an upward trajectory. Their performance still took them one step further than they achieved when they reached the semifinals of the last World Cup.

However, their recent UEFA Nations League campaign was a disaster. If that poor form carries over into this year's showdown in the desert, it's very possible that the English may shock a lot of people for all the wrong reasons. 

Wales 

Thanks to their victory over Ukraine in the European playoffs, Wales will be heading to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 64 years. Despite being 33 and 31 respectively, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey remain the shining lights in the squad. However, both of their powers have waned somewhat in recent years, and the team are short of the players they had six years ago when the Red Dragons shocked Belgium en route to the semifinals of Euro 2016.  

Iran will face Wales in their second group game in Al Rayyan's Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, and this will represent their best chance of picking up three points. If they can do exactly that, everything will be riding on their final group game. 

USA 

And what an opponent that final game will be. The game between USA and Iran during the 1998 World Cup in France is often referred to as the most politically charged football match in history. Team Melli famously won that game 2-1, and fans were reportedly dancing in the streets of Tehran celebrating the victory. 

This year, the pair will meet again, and the Iranians will be hoping for the same result. The US have come on leaps and bounds in recent years and, led by ‘Captain America’ Christian Pulisic, they will be expecting victory. Iran have shocked the Americans once before. Would they dare to do it again in Qatar?