England kicked-off their World Cup group stages in Qatar with a first-ever meeting against Iran in the Group B Qualifier – Monday 21 November 2022 – Khalifa International Stadium.

This is one of the most controversial world cups ever held. Former FIFA boss Sepp Blatter has said awarding the World Cup to Qatar was a mistake and a “bad choice”.

Final score England 6 – Iran 2

Goal! 8 Iran. Mehdi Taremi converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.

Goal! 7 England. Jack Grealish right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Callum Wilson.

Goal! 6 England. Marcus Rashford left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Harry Kane.

Goal! 5 Iran. Mehdi Taremi (IR Iran) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Ali Gholizadeh with a through ball.

Goal! 4 England. Bukayo Saka left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Raheem Sterling.

Goal! 3 England. Raheem Sterling right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Harry Kane with a cross.

Goal! 2 England. Bukayo Saka left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Harry Maguire with a headed pass following a corner.

What a goal, @BukayoSaka87 💥https://t.co/mP0Di6AVuA
— England (@England) November 21, 2022

Goal! 1 England. Jude Bellingham header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Luke Shaw with a cross.

Celebrating our first goal of the @FIFAWorldCup back at home! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ljzhh2tNHW
— England (@England) November 21, 2022

England boss Gareth Southgate says the Three Lions are keen to brighten up the country’s Christmas in 2022, as they prepare to kick-off their World Cup campaign in Qatar.

The IRAN team declined to sing their country’s Nation Anthem in protest and support for women in their country which was openly reported in reformist Iranian press. Some spectators held placards saying “Women, life and freedom”.

In an interview before the game, Ehsan Hajsafi, the Iranian captain, opened his remarks by saying “in the name of the god of rainbows”, a phrase uttered by a 10-year-old boy, Kian Pirfalk, who was killed by Iranian security forces.

PA Media have interviewed some England fans about the LGBT armband ban, and the verdict of at least one was that the FA have “bottled it”.