Iran to Face England, USA and European Playoff Winner in World Cup Group B

The FIFA World Cup draw was announced on Friday, April 1 in Doha, Qatar. Iran will be in a group with England, the US and the European playoff winner in the 2022 Qatar World Cup competitions. The final member of Group B will be a either Wales, Ukraine or Scotland.

Iran has never faced England, Wales, Scotland or Ukraine in the World Cup before. On June 21, 1998, Iran played against the US in in the group stage of the 1998 FIFA World Cup at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon, France. That match, described at the time as "the mother of all games", saw Team Melli win 2-1.

Two European playoff games were delayed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is not yet known when they will take place.

Iran will play England on November 21 for the team's first match. The second, scheduled for November 25, will be against the winner of the European playoff. Iran will face the US on November 29. The tournament is the first not to take place in May, June or July, and in a reduced timeframe of just 28 days.

Ali Daei, the veteran Iranian footballer who is regarded as one of the best Asian footballers of all time, was a guest at the ceremony in Doha this week. Below are the lineups as they were announced on Friday:

Following is the lineup for 2020 World Cup competitions:

·      Group A: Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador

·      Group B: England, United States, Iran, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine

·      Group C: Argentina, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia

·      Group D: France, Denmark, Tunisia, Peru/Australia/UAE

·      Group E: Spain, Germany, Japan, Costa Rica/New Zealand

·      Group F: Belgium, Croatia, Morocco, Canada

·      Group G: Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon

·      Group H: Portugal, Uruguay, South Korea, Ghana