13:56
The teams have just stepped onto the pitch at Khalifa International Stadium. Now the two national anthems sound, beginning with the “new” English anthem “God Save the King”.
13:53
Both teams won their qualifying group and easily qualified for the tournament in Qatar.
13:44
But the president does not only receive encouragement from the national team. For example, Leverkusen striker Azmoun was critical of the Iranian regime and campaigned for the women of his country. For a long time, Azmoun was not nominated, but in the end the goalscorer was called up to the squad.
13:41
While in England the squad nomination, above all the non-nomination of defender Fikayo Tomori, caused a need for discussion, in Iran, of course, political issues are currently in the foreground. The national team, which actually enjoys a good reputation in Iran and has regularly united the people in recent years, has recently made a name for itself primarily through its meeting with controversial President Ebrahim Raisi.
13:34
At Iran, Carlos Queiroz, who is returning to the coach, will be without Leverkusen attacker Sardar Azmoun, who was injured for a few weeks and is currently on the bench. Alongside Azmoun, Team Melli’s best-known player is probably FC Porto striker Mehdi Taremi, who has already scored five goals in this year’s Champions League group stage. Also active in Europe are Feyenoord Rotterdam winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Dinamo Zagreb defenders Sadegh Moharrami and AEK Athens’ Milad Mohammadi, and AEK Athens captain Ehsan Hajsafi.
13:21
First to the staff: As expected, Jordan Pickford is preferred in goal to Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope, in central defense coach Gareth Southgate relies on Harry Maguire, who has been heavily criticized, despite a lack of match practice at the club. Dortmund’s Jew Bellingham is the only legionnaire in the Three Lions squad to make it into the starting XI and will likely play alongside Declan Rice in the double six. Manchester City jewel Phil Foden will initially take a seat on the bench, along with team-mate Jack Grealish, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and many other well-known players.
13:00
Welcome to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. After yesterday’s opening game, the co-favourites from England start the tournament today and meet Iran on the first day of Group B. The game kicks off at 2:00 p.m.