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Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

What channel is Wales v Iran? Kick-off time, TV and live stream details for World Cup clash

Wales play their second World Cup group stage match on Friday as they take on Iran.

Here's everything you need to know about the Group B contest at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

What time is Wales v Iran kick-off?

Wales v Iran gets under way at 10am (1pm local time) on Friday, November 25.

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Is Wales v Iran on TV and what about live streaming?

Yes, the match will be shown live on S4C. Their coverage starts at 9:15am. It will also be shown live on BBC One from 9:15am. You can also stream live via the BBC Sport website.

WalesOnline will have live match updates from around three hours before kick-off.

What is the latest team news?

Joe Allen has returned to full training with Wales and is fit to feature.

The midfielder has been out of action for more than two months due to a hamstring and missed his side's 1-1 draw with the USA on Monday. Wales have no other injury concerns.

As for Iran, Sardar Azmoun is available to feature having come off the bench in his side's 6-2 loss to England last time out. Bayer Leverkusen's Azmoun suffered a calf injury earlier this month but could well be in a position to start against Wales.

Goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand sustained a broken nose following a collision with team-mate Majid Hosseini in the loss to England, and while he has been in training this week, he will be unavailable to face Wales due to concussion protocols.

What have the managers said?

Wales boss Rob Page: "Iran are going to want a reaction from a disappointing defeat (against England). I think they’d have looked at the fixtures and England was a free game for them.

"I think that’s why the manager changed the shape, he changed it for that game. I think we won’t be too surprised by the formation he picks. Both teams need to win.”

Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz: "It's a team full of character and a spirit. They have working ethics. We need to be careful with that because they're really dangerous in terms of enthusiasm, intensity and continuity.

"Teams like Wales, first minute or minute 90, they play the game in the same way. We need to be ready for that. I hope tomorrow we'll be able to express our football better."

How does the group currently look?

1 England P1; W1; D0; L0; GD +4; Pts 3

2 Wales P1; W0; D1; L0; GD 0; Pts 1

3 USA P1; W0; D1; L0; GD 0; Pts 1

4 Iran P1; W0; D0; L1; GD -4; Pts 0

What are the latest betting odds?

Wales win - 1/1

Draw - 11/5

Iran win - 3/1

(Odds courtesy of SkyBet, correct at time of publishing. Please gamble responsibly.)

Who is the referee?

Mario Escobar will take charge of proceedings. He will be assisted by Caleb Wales and Juan Carlos Mora Araya while Maguette N'Diaye is the fourth official.

Drew Fischer is the video assistant referee.

What about suspensions?

Captain Gareth Bale and defender Chris Mepham were both booked in the draw with the USA. It means they will miss the clash with England on Tuesday if they are yellow carded against Iran.

Match facts

  • This is just the second ever meeting between Wales and Iran, with the Red Dragons winning the other in April 1978 – Phil Dwyer scoring the only goal of the game.
  • Wales have faced Asian opposition seven times in their history and have only conceded once in these games, keeping six clean sheets (W5 D2). Their most recent such game was a 6-0 win against China in March 2018.
  • Iran have never beaten a European opponent at the World Cup in nine previous attempts (D2 L7), conceding 20 goals across those games, with six coming on MD1 in their 6-2 defeat to England.
  • Four of Wales' six games at the World Cup have been drawn (67%), with no side having a higher ratio of their games finishing level in the competition's history.
  • Iran lost 6-2 against England on MD1, the fourth time in their six participations they have lost their opening game at the World Cup. They’ve only lost their first two games at one previous World Cup, doing so in 2006.
  • Carlos Queiroz has only won two of his 11 matches at the World Cup (D4 L5) across spells with Portugal and Iran. His teams had only conceded seven goals in his first 10 games before Iran’s 6-2 defeat to England.
  • Gareth Bale has made 109 appearances for Wales in all competitions – the joint-most of all players in the nation's history, along with fellow squad member Chris Gunter.
  • 10 of Wales’ 14 goals at their last three major tournaments (EURO and World Cup) have seen at least one of Gareth Bale or Aaron Ramsey involved as goalscorer or assist provider.
  • Despite only coming on as a second half substitute, Kieffer Moore was involved in more of Wales' shots against USA on MD1 than any other player (3 – 2 shots, 1 chance created). He also had five touches in the opposition box, at least two more than any other Wales player.
  • Mehdi Taremi became the first ever Iranian player to score more than once at the World Cup with his brace against England on MD1. Indeed, Taremi was also the first player from an Asian country to net two goals in a World Cup game.

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