Although it is fantastically unrealistic, it is allowed to be a little amused by the thought that on July 16 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey it is actually possible that Iran are World Cup champions. After the final has been played and won by Iran, the world’s first Orange President Donald Trump will walk out into the stands and hand over the World Cup trophy. – That would be quite a sight!!
We are sure that Norway will win the final 11 – 2 over either France or (to ensure that absolutely everyone is watching TV at the same time) England.
Read: Harry Kane has made up his mind! Great interest from Manchester United, Barcelona (and Tottenham)
Well now it’s Belgium vs. Iran it’s all about, a match you can follow in our live service.
Belgium face Iran in Group G, and the pressure is enormous. Read our in-depth preview of what could be a fateful night in Los Angeles.
Belgium needs a win. Iran needs confirmation. Both teams know that this could be the moment that defines the entire World Cup.
The Red Devils opened the tournament with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Egypt, and in a group where all four teams have one point each, the stage is set for an intense game where a single goal can send one team to heaven – and another to hell.
Belgium had to come back in the opening game after Romelu Lukaku, a substitute, forced Mohamed Hany to put a low cross into his own net. It saved one point, but it was a frustrating performance. Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans all struggled to make their mark on the game.
Now they face an Iranian team that surprised many by holding New Zealand to a 2-2 draw – a team that is ranked lower than any other in the tournament. Iran have shown that they can fight, but they have also exposed defensive weaknesses that Belgium must exploit.
Iran is fighting more than its opponents
Iran is participating in this World Cup under extraordinary circumstances.
While the country is at war with the US and Israel, Iran has been forced to move its base camp from Arizona to Mexico. The reason: The U.S. government requires Iranian players to stay in the U.S. only within 24 hours before and after each match – meaning the team must travel internationally for every group stage match.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei has described his team as the “most oppressed” in the World Cup, and Iran has complained to FIFA about the restrictions.
But there is hope. This week, the US and Iran signed an initial peace agreement, and Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House’s World Cup group, has opened the way for the rules to be reconsidered. The question is whether it will happen in time to make a difference.
Anyway: Iran is in Los Angeles with one thought – to make history. They have never reached the knockout rounds of a World Cup. A win against Belgium could send them through for the first time ever. For Belgium, a loss would be catastrophic – and the scrutiny of the stars would be merciless.
Team news: Injuries and uncertainty
Belgium will once again have to do without defender Zeno Debast, who is still out. Iran have two questionable players: Roozbeh Cheshmi (hamstring) and Saman Ghoddos (ankle). Both will be tested right up until kick-off.
Predicted starting line-ups
Belgium (4-2-3-1):
Courtois – Meunier, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper – Onana, Tielemans – Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku – De Ketelaere
Iran (4-3-3):
Beiranvand – Rezaeian, Khalilzadeh, Nemati, Mohammadi – Mohebi, Ezatolahi, Ghoddos – Ghayedi, Taremi, Moghanlou
Read on Radiosporten: Sander Berge again wanted by one of the world’s biggest clubs
Key figures before the match
- This will be the first meeting between Belgium and Iran ever.
- Belgium have scored just one goal in their last three World Cup games.
- The Red Devils have lost only one of seven World Cup matches against Asian teams – against Saudi Arabia in 1994.
- Iran have faced European teams ten times in the World Cup: one win (against Wales in 2022), two draws and seven losses.
- Iran have scored in five of their last seven World Cup matches – but kept a clean sheet only twice in the same period.
Our prediction: Belgium will win – but it will be close
The defensive weaknesses Iran showed against New Zealand should have made Belgium’s attacking players drool. At the same time, Belgium were not convincing against Egypt, and Iran have shown that they can fight back against all odds.
Prediction: Belgium 2-1 Iran
But should Iran pull off the almost unthinkable – a win over Belgium – it won’t just be one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. That will be history. And for Belgium, a nightmare.
