Clashes between England, Iran, the United States and Wales mean World Cup Group B is laced with political tension, but also boasts the highest average FIFA world ranking of any of the sections in Qatar – making it, at least technically, the ‘Group of Death’.
Despite heading to the Middle East on the back of a six-game winless run, England undoubtedly start as favourites in their group with Gareth Southgate’s men looking to finally end a 56-year wait to claim a major international trophy.
The Three Lions have come close recently, reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup four years ago and the final of Euro 2020 on home soil.
However, a hectic schedule for Southgate’s squad with their clubs and little preparation time could see them caught cold in the group stages.
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Injury concerns are piling up in defence for England with Reece James ruled out, but Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips included in the squad despite being unfit.
Southgate conceded that Walker is unlikely to be fit for England’s opening game against Iran on November 21.
The right-back is on his way back from a groin injury, while Phillips had only played 13 minutes this season prior to coming on as a substitute in City’s 2-0 League Cup win over Chelsea on Wednesday.
“We feel that is a risk worth taking,” added Southgate on selecting Phillips. “He is free of injury. We are aware he’s not going to be able to play seven 90 minutes, we will have to build his fitness level.”
Harry Maguire is short of match fitness after falling down the pecking order at Manchester United.
At the other end of the field, it was a lack of creativity from open play that saw England relegated from the UEFA Nations League as they twice failed to beat any of Germany, Hungary or Italy in recent months.
A goal drought was washed away in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Germany at Wembley in their final competitive game before the tournament and the pressure is on Southgate to get the likes of Mason Mount, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham performing as regularly at international level as they do for their clubs.
England’s hopes could though come down to keeping captain Harry Kane fit as the Tottenham Hotspur striker bears down on becoming his country’s highest ever goalscorer at international level.
Kane is just two goals short of Wayne Rooney’s record of 53 and is one of the favourites to walk away with another Golden Boot as the World Cup’s top goalscorer.
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– IRAN’S POLITICAL PREPARATION –
Iran’s preparations have been besieged by political turmoil. Protests have swept across the nation in the wake of the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini following her arrest by the country’s morality police.
Activists, including former Iranian international Ali Karimi, have called on the team to make a stance in joining the protest movement with the eyes of the world upon them in Qatar.
FIFA have even been asked to throw Iran out of the competition and be replaced by Ukraine over the alleged use of Iranian drones by Russia in its war against Kyiv.
On the field, with former Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz back as manager, Iran beat Uruguay in a friendly in September to back up an impressive qualifying campaign.
However, they could be without star striker Sardar Azmoun due to a torn calf muscle.
A meeting with the United States brings back good memories for Team Melli of a 2-1 win in a politically-charged World Cup clash in 1998, their first-ever World Cup win.
When the draw was announced, the president of the US Soccer Federation called it “the mother of all games”.
The Americans are back on the biggest stage after failing to qualify for Russia four years ago and have a squad now filled with experience at the highest level in Europe.
However, manager Gregg Berhalter has been heavily criticised for a lack of spark in a run of one win in five games heading to Qatar.
But the team became the first squad to arrive in Qatar as they try to get a headstart on their preparations.
The biggest shock in Berhalter’s squad concerned the omission of goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
The 27-year-old has long been regarded as Berhalter’s first choice goalkeeper, but was left out in favour of Arsenal reserve goalkeeper Matt Turner, Luton Town’s Ethan Horvath and New York City’s Sean Johnson.
BALE LEADING WALES RETURN
Wales are back at a World Cup for the first time since 1958 in what could be Gareth Bale’s farewell on the international stage.
Bale has helped inspire his country to the knockout stages of the last two European Championships, famously reaching the semi-finals in 2016.
At 33 and now featuring for LAFC, Bale is no longer the force he once was and managing he and Aaron Ramsey through three group games in eight days will be a challenge for Rob Page.
But Wales will still fancy their chances of getting through with their first two games against the USA and Iran before a grudge match against neighbours England.
Bale provided a timely reminder of his enduring goalscoring threat last Saturday, nodding in an opportunistic headed equaliser deep into stoppage time to help set up Los Angeles FC’s MLS Cup victory.
United States coach Gregg Berhalter said Bale’s knack of rising to the big occasion was cause for concern.
“One of the things that’s scary about Gareth Bale is that he can do things like that,” Berhalter said of Bale’s game-saving MLS Cup goal, noting that the Welshman had outjumped Philadelphia’s 6ft 6in defender Jack Elliott to score.
“He dunked on him. He has that explosiveness, that free-kick and he can serve a ball,” Berhalter said.
“You have to be aware of him at any moment and if he doesn’t start the game, he comes on and he’ll worry you even more.
“Because you don’t have the chance to tire him out – he comes in fresh. He’s a dangerous player.”
FACT FILES
ENGLAND
Best World Cup performance: Winners in 1966
Other honours: None
FIFA ranking: Fifth
How they qualified: England finished first in European qualifying Group I.
Key player: Harry Kane could become England’s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup after reaching 51 goals for the Three Lions — just two behind record holder Wayne Rooney.
IRAN
Best World Cup performance: First round in five previous appearances
Other honours: Asian Cup winners in 1968, 1972, 1976
FIFA ranking: 20
Main clubs: Persepolis, Esteghlal, Sepahan
How they qualified: Iran topped Asian Group A in third round
Key player: The passion of Bayer Leverkusen forward Sardar Azmoun for goals is matched only by his love of horses. When he is not scoring for club or country, the 27-year-old is involved in his horse racing and breeding complex in the northern town where he was born. Often called the Messi of Iran, he averages two goals from every three appearances for the national team. Azmoun played for three Russian clubs before moving to Germany this year and is renowned for his acceleration, innovation and aerial power. Some Iranians have given Azmoun the ultimate compliment — comparing him to the legendary Ali Daei.
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USA
Best World Cup performance: Third place in 1930
Other honours: CONCACAF Championship/Gold Cup winners in 1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2021; CONCACAF Nations League winners in 2019-20
FIFA ranking: 16th
How they qualified: The United States finished third in the CONCACAF zone final qualifying standings, behind Canada and Mexico.
Key player: Christian Pulisic
If the US upset the odds and progress beyond the group stage in Qatar, the chances are that Pulisic will have had a lot to do with it. The 24-year-old Chelsea star has consistently been the Americans’ most important player in recent years, one of the few individuals capable of producing game-changing moments on the biggest stage. The man known as “Captain America” was a crucial contributor during the US qualification campaign, which included a hat-trick against Panama in March.
WALES
Best World Cup performance: Quarter-finals in 1958 Other notable performances: European Championship semi-finalists in 2016 FIFA ranking: 19th Main clubs: Cardiff City, Swansea City How they qualified: Beat Ukraine 1-0 in playoff final
Key player: Gareth Bale has the crowning glory he craved on an impressive CV for club and country by finally making it to the World Cup. Now playing his club football in MLS with LAFC, Bale remains the talisman for his nation. The five-time Champions League winner followed up scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Austria in the playoff semi-finals with the only goal against Ukraine to send Wales to Qatar. At 33, there are rumours the former Real Madrid forward may even bow out from international football after the tournament.
