Gareth Southgate’s team are among the favourites to go all the way in Qatar this winter after losing the Euros final on penalties in 2021.
With tournament experience and plenty of high-level talent, England are expected to progress through Group B at a canter.
Their campaign starts off with their weakest opponent on paper in Iran. Team Melli enter the tournament with three defeats in their last seven matches.
Match Result And Total Goals: England Win And Under 3.5
Iran haven’t had over 3.5 goals in a match since they beat Cambodia 10-0 in June of last year.
England have had some high-scoring fixtures of late, but it is no secret that Southgate prioritises the defence in tournament action.
The attack has enough to get the Three Lions an all-important win, and they should have a cushion or a couple of goals, but it is unlikely to be a repeat of the drubbing Panama suffered four years ago.
First Goalscorer: Harry Kane
Scorer of 12 goals in 14 Premier League starts this season, Harry Kane was the Golden Boot winner in Russia and has a decent chance of repeating that feat in Qatar.
Kane has been through a dry spell by his standards in an England shirt, scoring just twice in his last seven appearances, but he brings great form into this tournament. England are short on goalscorers in their first-choice XI, meaning many of their best chances fall to Kane.
To Be Shown A Card: Luke Shaw
Iran are a threat on the counter, and one of their key outlets is Alireza Jahanbakhsh of Feyenoord, who is expected to start on the right in a direct duel with Luke Shaw.
Shaw has three Premier League bookings in nine starts. The Manchester United full-back can be caught flat-footed by quicker wingers, and is liable to make clumsy challenges which will be carded at international level.
All odds are subject to change