New Delhi: England will be facing Iran in a Group B match at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday. England should be the clear favorites to breeze through into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup, and a possible three straight wins will allow Gareth Southgate's side to gain confidence ahead of the knockout rounds.
On paper, England has a better squad and record than Wales, the United States, and Iran. They qualified for Qatar with no real problems and travelled as the European Championship runners-up.
Iran on the other hand is standing at the 21 position in FIFA men's rankings. They have failed to go beyond the group stages the last two times. Iran’s coach Carlos Queiroz will be looking to make some upsets in Group B as they will be looking to seal their place into the round of 16 this year.
Here are the facts you need to know ahead of the England- Iran clash:
1. For the first time, England and Iran will face each other. Iran has never defeated European opposition at the FIFA World Cup.
2. The English side has made it in the FIFA World Cup for the 16th time. This edition will mark their appearance in a row.
3. England is the only European team to have made it to the semi-finals in each of the last two major tournaments (FIFA World Cup + EURO).
4. Iran has never crossed the first round of the FIFA World Cup as they won only two of their 15 matches.
5. This will be Iran’s sixth participation in the tournament, including their third in a row.