Wales vs Iran World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Group B match at Qatar 2022

David Lynch

Wales vs Iran World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Group B match at Qatar 2022 image

If Wales are to make full use of their draw with the United States on Monday, they must surely go on to beat Iran in their second Group B game.

A Gareth Bale penalty secured a point for Rob Page's side last time out, but defeat in this one could leave them needing a shock result against England in their last fixture if they are to progress to the knockout stages.

For that reason, all three points feel like a must when they go up against an Iran side still reeling from a 6-2 thrashing at the hands of the Three Lions.

Below are the lineups for both teams.

MORE: Wales v Iran time, live stream, TV channel and odds for World Cup clash

Wales vs Iran lineups

Wales boss Rob Page has revealed his squad are already feeling the effects of a packed World Cup schedule going into this game.

"We've got a few tired bodies, a few go down with cramp," he said when asked about the condition of his players.

However, Page's options are set for a boost with the return of Joe Allen, of whom he added: "The medical team have been exceptional and they're the reason he's now fit.

"We were all concerned about him, the way he kept breaking down. He's had to meet targets along the way, he's met every one. If we'd played him in game one and he'd broken down he would have been completely out.

"We could have pushed him for USA, but due to the confidence we have to get out of the group I want him for the long term."

MORE: Wales v Iran betting odds, tips and predictions from TSN's experts

Wales starting 11

(3-5-2, right to left): 1. Hennessey (GK) — 5. Mepham, 6. Rodon, 4. B. Davies — 14. Roberts, 10. Ramsey, 15. Ampadu, 8. Wilson, 3. N. Williams — 11. Bale, 13. Moore.

  • Injured: none
  • Suspended: none

After missing Wales' opener, Allen could be involved from the bench if required against Iran with Ethan Ampadu retaining his place in midfield.

Up front, Kieffer Moore's impressive cameo against the United States has earned him a start in place of Dan James, Page's only change from the opening match.

Iran starting 11

(4-4-2, right to left): 24. H. Hosseini (GK) — 23. Rezaeian, 19. M. Hosseini, 8. Pouraliganji, 5. Mohammadi — 17. Gholizadeh, 6 Ezatolahi, 21. Nourollahi, 3. Hajsafi — 9. Taremi, 20. Azmoun

  • Injured: Ali Beiranvand (concussion)
  • Suspended: none

With goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand ruled out as a result of the concussion he sustained against England, his replacement in that game, Hossein Hosseini, will start.

After appearing as a sub last time out, Sardar Azmoun joins Mehdi Taremi up front as Iran chase goals.

Wales vs Iran World Cup squads

Here are the 26 names on each team's squad lists at the World Cup in Qatar:

Wales

Position No. Player Club Age Caps
GK 1 Wayne Hennessey Nottingham Forest (ENG) 35 106
GK 12 Danny Ward Leicester City (ENG) 29 26
GK 21 Adam Davies Sheffield United (ENG) 30 3
DEF 15 Ethan Ampadu Spezia (ITA) 22 37
DEF 5 Chris Mepham Bournemouth (ENG) 24 33
DEF 4 Ben Davies Tottenham (SCO) 29 74
DEF 2 Chris Gunter Wimbledon (ENG) 33 109
DEF 14 Connor Roberts Burnley (ENG) 27 41
DEF 6 Joe Rodon Rennes (FRA) 24 30
DEF 3 Neco Williams Nottingham Forest (ENG) 21 23
DEF 24 Ben Cabango Swansea City (WAL) 22 5
DEF 17 Tom Lockyer Luton Town (ENG) 27 14
MID 7 Joe Allen Swansea City (WAL) 32 72
MID 10 Aaron Ramsey Nice (FRA) 31 75
MID 8 Harry Wilson Fulham (ENG) 25 39
MID 18 Jonny Williams Swindon Town (ENG) 29 33
MID 16 Joe Morrell Portsmouth (ENG) 25 30
MID 26 Matthew Smith MK Dons (ENG) 22 19
MID 23 Dylan Levitt Dundee United (So) 21 13
MID 25 Ruben Colwill Swansea City (ENG) 20 7
MID 22 Sorba Thomas Huddersfield Town (ENG) 23 6
FWD 11 Gareth Bale Los Angeles FC (USA) 33 108
FWD 20 Daniel James Fulham (ENG) 24 38
FWD 13 Kieffer Moore Bournemouth (ENG) 30 28
FWD 9 Brennan Johnson Nottingham Forest (ENG) 21 15
FWD 19 Mark Harris Cardiff City (WAL) 23 5

Iran

Position No. Player Club Age Caps
GK 22 Amir Abedzadeh Ponferradina (SPA) 29 1
GK 1 Alireza Beiranvand Persepolis (IRA) 30 51
GK 24 Hossein Hosseini Esteghlal (IRA) 30 5
GK 12 Payam Niazmand Persepolis (IRA) 27 1
DEF 15 Roozbeh Cheshmi Esteghlal (IRA) 34 18
DEF 3 Ehsan Hajsafi AEK Athens (GRE) 30 121
DEF 19 Majid Hosseini Kayserispor (TUR) 26 18
DEF 25 Abolfazl Jalali Esteghlal (IRA) 25 2
DEF 13 Hossein Kanaani Al Ahli (QAT) 27 34
DEF 4 Shoja Khalilzadeh Al Ahli (QAT) 25 24
DEF 5 Milad Mohammadi AEK Athens (GRE) 28 45
DEF 2 Sadegh Moharrami Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 27 21
DEF 8 Morteza Pouraliganji Persepolis (IRA) 26 45
DEF 23 Ramin Rezaeian Sepahan (IRA) 45 2
MID 11 Vahid Amiri Persepolis (IRA) 34 67
MID 6 Saeid Ezatolahi Vejle (DEN) 26 47
MID 14 Saman Ghoddos Brentford (ENG) 29 33
MID 17 Ali Gholizadeh Charleroi (BEL) 26 26
MID 7 Alireza Jahanbakhsh Feyenoord (NED) 29 64
MID 18 Ali Karimi Kayserispor (TUR) 28 13
MID 21 Ahmad Nourollahi Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) 29 26
MID 16 Mehdi Torabi Persepolis (IRA) 28 35
FWD 10 Karim Ansarifard  Omonia Nicosia (CYP) 32 94
FWD 20 Sardar Azmoun Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 27 65
FWD 9 Mehdi Taremi Porto (POR) 30 60

David Lynch

David Lynch Photo

David Lynch is a freelance football journalist primarily covering Liverpool FC. He has reported on the the Reds for over a decade for publications such as the Sunday Mirror and Evening Standard, carving out a reputation as a trusted voice on all things Anfield in the process. Having followed Liverpool across England and Europe over the course of his career, David has filed from illustrious venues such as Camp Nou, the Allianz Arena and the Estadio do Dragao, as well as from multiple Champions League finals.