England 2-1 Iran: What’s your prediction?

England kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran. Gareth Southgate's team are looking to win their first major trophy in more than half a century. Iran are also looking for their best campaign after they narrowly missed out in the knockout stage in 2018 World cup.

Possible lineups for England: (3-4-3) Pickford (GK), Stones, Dier, Maguire, Trippier and Bellingham, Rice, Shaw, Sterling and Foden.

England will be taking part in their 16th World Cup. They won the tournament in 1966 on home soil. Iran are ranked 5th in FIFA's world rankings.

England qualified for the World Cup with eight wins and two draws. They beat San Marino 10-0 and drew with Poland and Hungary. Captain Harry Kane was top scorer in the group with 12 goals.

England have gone six competitive games without a victory. They finished bottom of their Nations League group with Italy, Hungary and Germany. Iran reached their third World Cup in a row. They first qualified in 1978 and have played in the tournament in 1998, 2006, 2014 and 2018.

Team Melli won all their games and lost just once. Iran topped their group by two points ahead of South Korea.

Carlos Queiroz was reappointed head coach in September. Iran have notched up a 1-0 win over Uruguay and a draw with Senegal since his appointment.