Tensions will be high everywhere when Iran takes on diplomatic rivals the United States in the final group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday night. There is no love between the two countries, and with the current political tension that has seen the US temporarily fly Iran’s national flag without the Islamic Republic emblem, much to the chagrin of Tehran, denying the US a place in the last 16 will be a major target for Iran.
Iran are in second place, three points behind England, who have four points from two matches. A win for Iran against the USA would secure their first-ever last-16 position, but it is something the USA, who sit third in the Group B table with two points from two draws, will want to avoid at all costs. The US does not need at least three points from Iran. A draw would still leave the US below Iran and could be enough for Iran to advance to the round of 16 depending on the outcome of the England-Wales match at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium at the same time.
Carlos Queiroz, assisted by ex-Orlando Pirates coach Roger De Sa, is a renowned tactician who believes in a strong defensive organization and that Iran need a point with the expectation that England will get maximum points against an ailing Wales, an ultra-defensive approach to provide a point worth waiting for. But a full-scale US attack in search of a goal that could send them into the last 16 could be equally disastrous for the US with Iran waiting to catch them on quick counter-attacks and crush them.
England will leave nothing to chance against Wales. The group winner will face the runners-up in Group A, which could be anyone between Ecuador and Senegal. This should serve as motivation for Gareth Southgate’s men to take all the points on offer against Wales. It would be easier for Ecuador or Senegal in the 1/8 finals to advance to the quarterfinals than to meet the Netherlands.
Worst case scenario
The shock outcome of Group B will be the unlikely situation of Wales taking maximum points against England against England and Iran also winning against the USA. In such an unlikely situation, England would be knocked out of the World Cup, while Iran and Wales would advance to the round of 16. Very unlikely…
Prediction
England and Iran to pass
