The crucial Group B match in the FIFA World Cup 2022, Iran vs USA, will be played at Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, on Tuesday (29th November) night.
Iran started Group B with a thrashing 6-2 defeat against England. But the Asian side stunned Wales with two injury-time winning goals (2-0).
On the other hand, the USA drew both their first two matches in this tournament (1-1 vs Wales; 0-0 vs England).
IRA vs USA Match Details
Match: Iran vs USA
Stage: Group (B)
Date: 29th November 2022 (Tuesday)
Time: 22:00 local time/AST (UTC+3); 00:30 IST (next day)
Venue: Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
IRA vs USA Group B Scenarios
Iran will secure their spot for the Round of 16 of this World Cup by winning this game. However, a draw can also be enough for them to enter the next stage if Wales can’t beat England in the other game of this Group B.
Meanwhile, it is a must-win game for the USA to earn their Round of 16 tickets for this tournament. Any other result for them in the upcoming match will only end their journey in this competition.
IRA vs USA Match Preview
Due to long-time political tensions between the two countries, Iran vs USA will be more than a game for both nations. The tensions have once again arisen during this World Cup after the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) altered Iran’s national flag on its social media platforms to support ongoing protests in Iran.
On its social media accounts, the USSF temporarily posted Iran’s national flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic. Though it was later deleted, Iran’s football federation (Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran/FFIRI) has reportedly complained to FIFA against USSF by calling it disrespecting the national flag of the country. The FFIRI has also demanded strict suspension for the USSF, which can technically kick them out of this competition.
Surely, this match is not going to be in a very friendly atmosphere at all.
Coming back to the game, after suffering a thrashing defeat against England in their tournament opener, Iran have got a huge lifeline by defeating Wales, thanks to two injury-time goals in the final half. The Asian side has experienced some ups and downs this year (2022) after not losing a single game from 2020 to 2021, where they won 12 games and drew once. Still, they won six games, drew once and lost thrice out of 10 games this year.
On the other hand, the USA are currently going through a rough patch with a five-match winless streak, including four draws (presently going through a three-match draw streak). In their must-win game, the USA have to come out from their bad time.
Recent Form (starting from the latest)
Iran (IRA): WLWDW
USA (USA): DDDDL
IRA vs USA Team News
(Iran)
First-choice goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand suffered a horrific head injury during the early stage of their tournament opener against England. He wasn’t available for the next game, and there is no fresh development news ahead of their last group stage match.
Winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh will miss this forthcoming game due to a suspension after receiving back-to-back yellow cards in the first two games of this competition.
Their leading goal-scorer in the present World Cup squad, Sardar Azmoun is also doubtful for the upcoming match as he was forced to get off the pitch in the last game after picking up an injury.
Also Read | Iran’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and FIFA World Cup 2022: Iran - World Cup Records and Stats
(USA)
There is no big injury news in the squad.
Also Read | USA’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and FIFA World Cup 2022: USA - World Cup Records and Stats
IRA vs USA predicted starting lineups
Iran (IRA): Hossein Hosseini; Ramin Rezaeian, Majid Hosseini, Morteza Pouraliganji, Milad Mohammadi; Ali Gholizadeh, Ahmad Nourollahi, Saeid Ezatolahi, Ehsan Hajsafi (Captain); Mehdi Taremi, Karim Ansarifard
USA (USA): Matt Turner ; Sergiño Dest, Walker Zimmerman, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams (Captain), Yunus Musah; Timothy Weah, Jesús Ferreira, Christian Pulisic
IRA vs USA Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: M Turner (8 cr)
DEF: W Zimmerman (7.5 cr), M Pouraliganji (8 cr), E Hajsafi (8 cr), S Dest (8 cr)
MID: C Pulisic (9 cr), W McKennie (8.5 cr), T Adams (8 cr), A Gholizadeh (8.5 cr)
FW: T Weah (7.5 cr), M Taremi (9 cr)
Vice-captain: M Taremi
Captain: C Pulisic
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football and 2022 FIFA World Cup for upcoming matches and updates.
