FIFA World Cup: How to watch Wales vs Iran live on November 25, 2022

Topics: TV Schedules, Wales, Iran, FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022

The Dragons lock horns with the Middle Eastern heavyweights knowing that a defeat would all but end their Qatar 2022 campaign.

The second round of fixtures in the FIFA World Cup group stage is upon us, with Wales and Iran preparing to face off in a crucial Group B showdown. This fixture, Friday's early kick-off at 5 a.m. ET, will take place at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium and could go a long way in deciding the race to qualify for the last 16.

The Dragons enter this game on the back of their intriguing clash with the USA in their opening tie. That was a match of two halves, with the European underdogs struggling in the first 45 minutes before eventually clawing their way back into the mix after the break.

Despite boasting Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey in their starting eleven, Rob Page's side initially struggled to break down the Stars and Stripes, and to make things worse, the Welsh were constantly cut through like a knife through butter.

In fact, Wales were fortunate to only be a goal down come half-time. Had it not been for the USA's profligacy in front of the goal, the match could have ended inside the first 45 minutes. However, the introduction of Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore turned things around for the UEFA representative. The Dragons were able to cause mayhem and were rewarded in the 82nd after winning a penalty. To no one's surprise, Bale stepped up to the spot and buried it past Matt Turner to rescue a point for his country.

Nonetheless, Wales are now winless in their last six games and thus enter this tie needing a victory if they are to make the last 16. Given that their final group-stage match is against England, Bale and Co. cannot afford to face the Three Lions needing a positive result in order to progress.

Iran, meanwhile, are facing a far worse scenario. Unlike their European rivals, the Middle Eastern side did not pick up a point. However, that's not all, as their opening game was nothing short of a nightmare.

An early head injury to their first-choice goalkeeper forced Team Melli into an undesirable substitution. From that point on, England, who they faced in their opening game, tore Iran apart, with youngsters Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka wreaking havoc.

In the final 10 minutes of the first half, Carlos Queiroz's side conceded three goals and thus entered the break having all but lost the fixture. Star striker Mehdi Taremi got on the scoresheet twice, but his brace amounted to nothing as the Three Lions grabbed another three goals to triumph 6-2.

While Iran weren't the favorites to win, not many expected the AFC heavyweights to be thrashed due to Queiroz's style of play, having made a name for himself as a pragmatic tactician. Nonetheless, the Portuguese manager remains optimistic about their upcoming match.

"My view [of the England game] is simple and very pragmatic: the game finished in the first half when we conceded the goals we are not used to conceding," he said.

"Being 3-0 down, the only goal for our team was to enjoy the game and to be brave, united, and fight to try to play our football in moments England allowed us to do so.

"What I can say as a conclusion is we win or learn. We had the privilege to learn a lot of things against England and we are much better prepared now to play against Wales."

Team news

Wales: The big question is whether Kieffer Moore will start after his brilliant display off the bench, meaning Daniel James' spot in the starting eleven could be at risk. Ethan Ampadu, meanwhile, picked up a knock in the 1-1 draw with the USA and could miss this tie, meaning Joe Morrell could deputize.

Iran: Alireza Beiranvand will sit this one out after suffering a concussion in the defeat to England, with Hossein Hosseini set to start in goal. Otherwise, Queiroz is expected to name an identical lineup to their opening game.

Key stats

Iran are winless in nine of their last 10 FIFA World Cup matches.
However, Team Malli have lost their opening two games only once in their last six FIFA World Cup tournaments (Germany 2006).
Gareth Bale has 41 goals in 109 caps for his national team and will be looking to add to that tally on Friday.
This will be the first encounter between these two nations in 44 years.
The Dragons have won only one of their last nine fixtures.