Iran will give England tough test under World Cup veteran Carlos Queiroz

Iran qualified for the World Cup for third time in a row. Carlos Queiroz was sacked as the coach of Iran in the summer. Iran have been drawn in an extremely difficult group with England, Wales and USA. Iran will give England a tough test. They have qualified from the previous World Cups in 2010, 2014 and 2018.

Carlos Queiroz has been in charge of Iran for two matches. He has played a 4-1-4-2 formation in both of these games. Queirroz's team will play a similar formation when Iran are on the ball.

Iran are not a possession-oriented team, unlike England and USA in the same group. Carlos Queiroz's team plays a variety of styles, from compact shape to attacking phase. Iran's set-up is conventional and the fullbacks stay relatively low to provide support for the centre-backs. The pivot plays squared passes or direct passes into the channels. Saeed Ezatolahi has played in both of Iran’s international friendlies. He is better out of possession than on the ball. Iran tend to combine on flanks to progress the football from deeper areas of the pitch.

Iran will give England a tough test under World Cup veteran Carlos Queiroz. Queirroz prefers his players to play vertical football and pass the ball forward. Karim Ansarifard has performed this role well for Iran so far.

Iran will give England a tough test under World Cup veteran Carlos Queiroz. Queirroz's team press high up the pitch and look to win the ball back as close to the opponent's goal as possible. When on the back foot, Iran revert into a deep defensive block. Iran have registered 19 ball recoveries in the opposition's half in Queira's two games in charge. Senegal and Uruguay were found it too easy to reach their best players between the lines under Queirez and his team. Iran need to be more compact and cooperative with one another to stifle England, Wales and the USA's best attackers.

Iran's team is very dangerous during attacking transitions. However, they struggle during defensive transitions due to a lack of energy in the midfield area. Iran's squad is ageing and has very little youth in middle of the park. Senegal's counterpressing was too lethargic and so, Senegal played through it easily. Iran are in a group with England, Wales and the USA.

Iran's defensive line is where they may struggle the most. Shojae Khalilzadeh and Ehsan Hajsafi could provide much-needed experience at the back. Mohammad Kanaani and Sadegh Moharrami will be tasked with providing the pace at back alongside the two veterans. Iran's poor goals-conceded record may hamper their progression from the group phase.

Iran will give England a tough test under Carlos Queiroz. Saeed Ezatolahi is Iran's best defensive player in the middle of the park. Vahid Amiri and Omid Ebrahimi can come on from the bench to provide some calmness.

Iran will play at the World Cup in Qatar. Mehdi Taremi, Karim Ansarifard and Alireza Jahanbakhsh are key players for Team Melli. Iran will give England a tough test under World cup veteran Carlos Queiroz.

Mehdi Taremi is the star player for Iran ahead of the World Cup. Sardar Azmoun is in doubt. Teremi has been in fine form for Porto and is one of Primeira Liga's top scorers. He can play anywhere along the frontline, although he is strongest up front.

Team Melli cannot go toe-to-toe with these three nations. Iran will finish bottom of the group. Carlos Queiroz's team will give England a tough test. For more detailed analysis of all 32 teams in the FIFA World Cup 2022, download your copy of November Total Football Analysis magazine here.