Despite Iran’s lack of success in recent years, they are still considered favorites to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Iranian national football team is preparing for its opening match against England. This will be the first time the two teams have ever met. The game will take place on Monday. The teams will be competing in Group B, which will include England, Wales, and the US. The match will be broadcast live on FIFA.com.
Despite being the highest ranked Asian team in the tournament, Iran have not progressed past the first round of the World Cup in five previous editions. But with four years of preparation, the Iranians will be looking to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time. The team has qualified in Group B, which is considered to be the toughest group in the tournament.
With a number of key players preparing to leave the country, the Iranian team is also facing a race against time. The squad was finalized late on Sunday. Amid the pressure, coach Carlos Queiroz chose to leave star player Sardar Azmoun on the squad. Azmoun is still expected to start in the later games. He has scored seven goals in 13 matches in the World Cup qualifying stage.
Iran’s players are also caught up in the political crisis in their home country. The regime has violently cracked down on those speaking out against oppression. It has been reported that 344 people have died in recent protests. Some of the regime’s leaders have threatened soccer players who support the protests.
As a result, Iranian players have been heavily criticised on social media. Many have criticized the mullahs, who they accuse of killing their own people. Sardar Azmoun, for instance, has posted multiple times on social media in support of women-led protests. Other teammates have also expressed their concerns.
Despite the pressure, the Iranian football team has met with the president of Iran. He has warned the team to stay vigilant against any disruption. And the team is also meeting with other officials in Tehran. The regime is expected to use football as a way to distract the Iranian public from the political crisis.
The Iranian government has been involved in a number of human rights issues, including mass executions and torture of schoolchildren. It also has military ties to Syria, North Korea, and Russia. Iran is regarded by Israel as an existential threat. It is estimated that Iran could build a bomb in less than seven days.
Iran’s national football team is preparing to play in its first-ever World Cup match against England on Monday. The teams are expected to meet in Doha, Qatar, in the opening match of Group B. The 2022 World Cup is expected to be billed as a spectacle of hypocrisy and disassociation. It is being billed as a “scenario of human self-deception”.
England will also have a number of players in its squad who are out of form. James Maddison is expected to miss the match, and Kieran Trippier is a prime candidate to replace him. Also, Kyle Walker is likely to be replaced by either Phil Foden or Trent Alexander-Arnold.
