World Cup Predictions: Group B

Defeat for England against Iran would represent one of the biggest World Cup shocks of all time, with Southgate’s men 15 places ahead of their opponents in the world rankings.

You have to go back to 1994 for the last time England failed to qualify for the World Cup and only once since then have they failed to get out of their group.

This is the fifth time in the last seven World Cup tournaments that Iran have qualified, but they have never previously got past the group stage.

The two teams have never met before but Iran’s boss Carlos Queiroz has links to England, having been assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Just three places separate these two teams in the FIFA rankings, something which is highlighted in the match odds.

Baring a 5-0 win over Grenada in June, goals have been sparse for the USA squad and there will be a lot of pressure on Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic to deliver.

The same could be said for Gareth Bale, who remains the key man for Wales despite reaching the veteran age of 33. The Cardiff born ace has 40 goals for his country but this is his first World Cup tournament.

The two teams have met on just one previous occasion, in a 2003 friendly when the USA came out 2-0 winners, although Wales did play for the majority of the second half with 10 men.

England's squad is littered with high-profile talent, with the majority of their stars playing their football in the Premier League.

If Southgate's side are to succeed, they will need striker Harry Kane to stay fit while in midfield, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice could play a crucial role.

Gregg Berhalter's USA squad also has Premier League experience, with Leeds United duo Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson set to feature in midfield.

Chelsea's Pulisic is arguably their most-gifted player, which is also the best way to describe Gareth Bale, who will be the key player for Wales this winter.

Saman Ghoddos and Alireza Jahanbakhsh are the two shining lights in Iran's squad, but they will have their work cut out to help their nation finish in the top two places.

It would be a big surprise if England, who are currently 8.520* to win the tournament, are not the country that sit at the top of Group A after the all the matches are concluded.

However, Southgate's side are heading to Qatar in poor form, with the Three Lions failing to win any of their last six matches. Fortunately for England, they start the tournament against Iran, who are unlikely to cause them to many issues.

How far England go is a debate for another day, but they should be able to secure first place in the group, while the fight for second is certainly up for grabs.

The USA are also out of form after just one win in five and, if Bale can stay fit, Wales will feel they can sneak into the knockout stages.

At 2.100*, Wales look worth considering for a top-two finish, and it seems like a straight shootout between them and the USA, while Iran will do well to pick up a point from their three games.

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