Following the World Cup opener on Sunday between host Qatar and Ecuador, England meets Iran in the second game of the tournament on Monday morning at 8 a.m. ET.
In Gaming Today’s breakdown of the England vs. Iran odds, props, and predictions, we’ll examine whether we should expect Iran to challenge Group B favorite England (spoiler alert: not quite).
Best England vs. Iran Odds: Moneyline and Total
Here are betting lines from top US sportsbooks for England-Iran as of Friday, Nov. 18. The odds are likely to change between now and kickoff, and it’s always advised to weigh the options at various sports betting apps to find the best bonuses and prices.
These odds reflect the prices for both sides on the three-way line, where a bet on either team is a loss in the event of a draw. DraftKings prices a draw at +360, FanDuel’s price is +370, and Caesars offers it at +340.
SOCCER · Mon (11/21) @ 8:00 am ET
| Iran | at | England |
| Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, QA | ||
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Moneyline
The England vs. Iran odds list the Three Lions as heavy favorites to start the tournament with a win. While England has appeared vulnerable over the past year, the most likely outcome in this match is a comfortable victory for Gareth Southgate’s team.
Total
The total in England-Iran is set at 2.5, with the under heavily favored at -165 on DraftKings. Over 2.5 goals is priced at +130. England’s first four games of Euro 2020 last summer all finished at Under 2.5, and all three of the team’s matches in group play landed under 1.5 total goals.
England vs. Iran: World Cup History
England’s appearances in the World Cup are always memorable, and 2018 was no exception. Harry Kane and Co.’s run to the semifinals, where they lost to eventual runner-up Croatia, did not lack for drama. The same could be said for England’s journey to the final of Euro 2020 last summer against Italy.
England’s World Cup history includes a trophy in 1966, but the closest it has been since has been the semifinals. In addition to reaching that stage in 2018, England also made it there in 1990.
Prior to England’s deep run in 2018, it was eliminated in group play in 2014, the round of 16 in 2010, and the quarterfinals in both 2006 and 2002.
Iran is playing in the World Cup for the sixth time in its history. The team also qualified in 2018, 2014, 2006, 1998, and 1978. Iran failed to advance from group play the last four times it was in the World Cup.
England and Iran’s meeting on Monday will be the first between the two teams.
England Roster, Injuries, and Betting News
England has impressed in its last two major tournament appearances, reaching the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020 last summer. There have been some lackluster performances in their final World Cup tuneups, though.
After winning eight of 10 World Cup qualifiers in Europe’s Group I — two games apiece against Poland, Albania, Hungary, Andorra and San Marino – England turned in one disappointing effort after another in the UEFA Nations League.
In that competition, Southgate’s side lost to Hungary twice and drew Germany and Italy in June. And in late September, they lost 1-0 to Italy and drew Germany 3-3 to finish Nations League play with a head-scratching record of 0-3-3.
Roster
England is so deep with Premier League talent that it’s hard to single out its top two or three players. But the main headliners are Harry Kane and Phil Foden up top, with Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, and Declan Rice among the stars in the midfield. The back line also has a heavy Premier League presence with Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, John Stones, and Harry Maguire.
Injuries
The loss of Chelsea’s Reece James was the biggest blow when England announced its squad.
Prior to Southgate revealing his World Cup roster, the availability of Kalvin Phillips was in question, but the former Leeds United star — who joined Manchester City this summer — gives England another solid option in the midfield, as long as he’s fit.
Iran Roster, Injuries, and Betting News
Iran is a bit of an underrated — and unkown — opponent, especially compared to England. Iran’s better than the sum of its parts, though, if the team’s efforts in Asian qualifying were anything to go by.
Manager Carlos Queiroz led his team to a record of 8-1-1, with 15 goals for compared to just four allowed, in qualifying. This team also nearly advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup despite having to compete with both Spain and Portugal in group play.
In Quieroz, it boasts a veteran manager who has also managed the senior national teams of Portugal (2008-10), Colombia (2019-20), and Egypt (2021-22). He was rehired as manager of Iran in September, ahead of this year’s World Cup, after a lengthy stint managing the team from 2011-19. Those years included trips to the World Cup in 2014 and 2018, but Iran did not advance from group play either time.
Roster
Iran is led by 30-year-old Mehdi Taremi, who has scored six goals and recorded five assists in domestic play for Porto this season. He also quietly had five goals — including three in his team’s last two games against Club Brugge on October 26 and Atletico Madrid on November 1 — and two assists to help his club finish Champions League Group Play in first place in Group B.
Taremi’s best-known teammates are Alireza Jahanbakhsh of Dutch Eredivisie side Feyenoord and Sardar Azmoun of Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. Premier League fans may remember Jahanbakhsh from his time with Brighton, where he spent the ’18-19, ’19-20, and ’20-21 campaigns before moving to Feyenoord in 2021.
Injuries
Azmoun is one of the top threats England must focus on, but his availability is in question due to a calf injury. Azmoun has not played for Bayer Leverkusen since Sept. 30, making it hard to imagine he’ll be 100% for Iran-England on Monday.
England vs. Iran Props
Here is a sampling of props on England vs. Iran.
Anytime Goalscorer (on FanDuel)
Harry Kane -110
Callum Wilson +160
Marcus Rasfhord +190
Raheem Sterling +200
Correct score (on DraftKings):
England 1-0 +425
England 2-0 +425
England 2-1 +1000
Iran 1-0 +1900
Iran 2-0 +6000
Iran 2-1 +3500
0-0 +950
1-1 +850
Total goal props (on DraftKings):
Over 0.5 goals -2000, Under 0.5 goals +800
Over 1.5 goals -265, Under 1.5 goals +200
Over 2.5 goals +130, Under 2.5 goals -165
England vs. Iran Broadcast Info: Where to Watch
• Monday, Nov. 21, 8 a.m. ET
• Khalifa International Stadium
• Fox Sports 1
• FoxSports.com
• Fox Sports App
• Peacock
• Telemundo
England vs. Iran Prediction: England 2, Iran 0
England is a massive favorite in this match for good reason. It has a decided advantage in both talent and World Cup experience. But Iran has a squad that is better than the sum of its parts, as evidenced by the team’s dominance of its Asian Football Confederation qualifying group.
While I expect Iran to keep this close for most of the match, I like England’s chances to record a shutout and eventually win comfortably. Here are two game parlays on DraftKings worth checking out if you’re confident in England:
- England Half Time/Full Time +100
- England Win and Over 1.5 Total Goals -135
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