PREVIEW: Belgium target crucial World Cup group stage win over Iran | OneFootball

Belgium face Iran in Los Angeles with the Red Devils searching for their first win of the World Cup, following their 1-1 draw against Egypt last week.

All sides in Group G are level on one point after their opening matches, after Romelu Lukaku was called off the bench and forced an own goal within seconds of coming on, with Iran also playing out a draw against New Zealand.

Belgium know that a win against Iran would strengthen their chances of progressing to the knockout stages, rectifying a shock group stage exit in Qatar four years ago.

Rudi Garcia’s side have won 11 of their last 13 matches across all competitions but are without a victory in their last three World Cup matches.

It is Belgium’s 14th appearance at the FIFA World Cup, and they will be aiming to avoid another early exit after being eliminated at the group stage in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

This will be the first meeting between Belgium and Iran, with the two nations never having faced each other previously at a FIFA World Cup or in any other competition.

Jeremy Doku received criticism this afternoon for stating he wishes to depart Belgium’s World Cup camp when his wife Shireen is due to give birth to their first child in the second week of July, when the quarter-finals are set to take place.

The 24-year-old winger told Reuters: “It’s my first child, so I ‌would ⁠definitely want to be there,” leading to L’Équipe presenter France Pierron to criticize the Manchester City player – who for now is present and willing to take part.

Iran, on the other hand, have never progressed beyond the group stage in any of their previous seven World Cup appearances.

This World Cup hasn’t been without controversy for Iran, due to the ongoing conflict with co-hosts United States, leading to the decision to an agreement between the Iranian administration and FIFA to relocate their training camp to Tijuana.

Protests were held before their opening match in response to the football governing body banning the country’s pre-revolution Lion and Sun flag due to its political connotations, citing their official Stadiums Code of Conduct.

However, Iran will be aiming to make history by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time regardless of the political backdrop behind their World Cup campaign as they currently occupy second, above Belgium in Group G.

Iran have won three of their last six matches across all competitions, while losing twice and drawing once, but with a promising display in the 2-2 draw with New Zealand last time out there is cause for hope they can make it out.

The match will kick off at 20:00 (BST) at the Los Angeles Stadium with live coverage on ITV1 and ITVX.

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