Iran Press/ Iran News: Carlos Queiroz's boys will take to the field with a long-cherished goal to qualify for the knockout stage, and possibly further, a feat the team has never been able to achieve since its maiden World Cup appearance in 1978.
England, on the other hand, start as favorites, having clinched the FIFA World Cup trophy in 1966, the first and only time, under the legendary Alf Ramsey. They would be raring to go and end their 56-year-long drought.
Iran has been clubbed in Group B with England, US and Wales. After facing England on Monday, Team Melli will take on Wales on Nov. 25, followed by the US on Nov. 29. All three games promise high-octane action, but the game between Iran and England, in particular, will be exciting.
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Gareth Southgate's side, ranked fifth in the world, was recently relegated from the Nations League, and is evidently low on morale. Wales, although a star-studded team, faced the same fate. The US was handed a crushing defeat by Japan followed by a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia in the run-up to the Qatar World Cup.
On the contrary, Iran defeated Uruguay 1-0 and drew with African giants Senegal. The top Asian football side's World Cup qualification this time was surprisingly quick and effortlessly easy, topping their group with 25 points and a goal difference of +11.
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