Southgate’s men eye glory against embattled Iran

England kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran on Monday desperate to take the final step after twice falling just short of winning the country's first major trophy in more than half a century.

Gareth Southgate's players will be relieved to finally focus on football after spending much of the build-up to the tournament mired in the ceaseless controversies surrounding host nation Qatar.

The England squad have handled themselves impeccably but now they have to transfer that poise under pressure to the pitch, where they start their three Group B fixtures established as one of the leading contenders.

Having failed to win any of their past six matches, England arrived in Qatar on their worst run of form since 1993.

With tougher matches against the United States and Wales looming in Group B, England cannot afford a slow start against minnows Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Significantly, Southgate still retains the faith of his players and Tottenham defender Eric Dier was quick to back his boss on Saturday.

"I think it's crazy talk. People's perceptions change so quickly," Dier said, when asked about criticism of the coach.

"We've got to remember what England were doing before. He's taken England to the semifinals of the World Cup and the final of the Euros.

"It's just the world we live in. But for him to come under criticism is crazy after a small run of results, considering how England have performed. He's at the forefront of that.

"I know it's difficult nowadays because it's all now, now, now. But look at where we were in Euro 2016 and before that compared to where we are now."

Meanwhile, Iran's buildup is likely to be overshadowed by a deadly crackdown on women-led protests back home.

The football-obsessed nation of 80 million people is normally united by football but is reeling after two months of nationwide protests since the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody on September 16.

Players have faced calls from activists to use the World Cup to show solidarity with those killed during the protests, with attention on the playing of national anthems and celebrations.

Team captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh said Thursday that the players were focused on the "biggest games of our lives", not the politics of the protests.

"What I'm trying to say is we are here to play football and that's the main thing everybody is focused on while we're here," said the Feyenoord winger.