World Cup

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World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 21, 2022 at 1pm UK

Wembley Stadium

England
6 - 2
Iran

Bellingham (35'), Saka (43', 62'), Sterling (45+1'), Rashford (71'), Grealish (90')

FT(HT: 3-0)

Taremi (65', 90+13' pen.)
Jahanbakhsh (25'), Pouraliganji (48')

England vs. Iran: A look at both teams' record at previous World Cups

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 21 November 2022

Ahead of England and Iran's World Cup opener, Sports Mole looks back on how both nations have fared in recent editions of the tournament.

England fans know all too well about their World Cup history, which contains more heartbreak than ecstasy with just the one title still to their name.

The Three Lions will begin their quest to double that tally against Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar on Monday, a match they will widely be expected to win.

Iran's own World Cup history is nowhere near as storied as England's, yet there have still been memorable moments and unforgettable results for Team Melli on the grandest stage.

Here, Sports Mole looks back at how both nations have fared in previous World Cups.

ENGLAND

Best finish: Winners (1966)

England captain Bobby Moore on shoulders of teammates holding aloft the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966 © Reuters

Many have tried and failed to replicate England's 1966 World Cup success in front of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and only three of the starting XI from that final win over Germany - Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Geoff Hurst and George Cohen - are still around to watch the current crop go for glory.

Fifty-six years on from beating the Germans 4-2 in a highly controversial Wembley encounter, England only have two semi-final finishes to go next to their Jules Rimet trophy, one in 1990 under Sir Bobby Robson and the other in Russia four years ago.

England were not FIFA members until the 1950 World Cup and subsequently missed the first three editions, and they alternated between group-stage and quarter-final exits in 1950, 1954, 1958 and 1962 before going all the way.

The defence of their World Cup crown then ended in the quarter-finals in 1970 before they failed to qualify at all in 1974 or 1978, and a similar fate befell them in 1994, but they have since made it to the finals seven times on the bounce.

Only one of England's last six World Cup appearances has ended in the group stage, and the Three Lions travel to Qatar with 29 wins, 21 draws and 19 losses under their belt from 69 games in the tournament in total.

IRAN

Best finish: Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018)

Iran players celebrate after the match at the 2018 World Cup © Reuters

Iran have qualified for five previous World Cups in their history - in 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014 and 2018 - but they have never progressed beyond the group stage.

Their best showing came last time out in Russia, when they claimed only their second-ever victory through Aziz Bouhaddouz's injury-time penalty against Morocco in their opening match, before lightning struck twice as Ansarifard bagged from the penalty spot in the 93rd minute to claim a creditable 1-1 draw against Portugal on the final matchday.

However, Queiroz's side had required all three points if they were to finish above their opponents in Group B and progress to the knockout stages for the first time, so that potential achievement will have to wait until later this year in Qatar.