England vs Iran live score tracker: World Cup 2022 match updates

Questions will certainly be asked about Beyranvand's substitution.

But, it is hardly the only talking point that has surrounded this World Cup — on or off the pitch.

Another one is what this match means for Iran's players.

The first game of the World Cup is significant for any nation, but for Iran and its players, it pales in comparison to the events taking place back home.

Protests have swept the nation in recent months, and that was reflected pre-match and during the early stages of Iran’s game against England.

We look at why Iran's players and fans are protesting.

GO FURTHER

Why are Iran players and fans protesting during the World Cup?

19': Play is back underway after Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand is replaced by Hossein Hosseini.

17': Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand is back on his feet after being down for a while. He was hit in the face and discussions are currently ongoing as to whether he continues... It looks like he is going to carry on. Iran have four goalkeepers in their squad so they aren't short if they do want to make change.

Beiranvand is one of their star players and I will never stop telling people he holds the Guinness World Record for the longest in-game throw which measured at over 61 metres. But I'm not sure whether he should still be on the pitch.

He has gone down again and has motioned to the bench to be replaced. The right decision in the end. Took a while to get there though.

England's early joy, if you can call it that, seems to be coming from wide areas with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Kieran Trippier involved. Harry Kane has just whipped a dangerous cross which had Declan Rice and Raheem Sterling blaring down on it but neither could get there.

England have already enjoyed 81 per cent of possession. That is a lot of the football. Nothing to show for it so far but they are building up to it, you feel. And if you are an England fan, you hope.

How fitting is this? Jude Bellingham wears the No 22 for England – the shirt number Birmingham City famously retired when he moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2020.

I'm interested to see what Carlos Queiroz does with Sardar Azmoun off the bench.

The lineup will likely have Mehdi Taremi playing as a lone forward. Azmoun is versatile enough to replace him, move alongside him, or perhaps come on in place of Jahanbakhsh or Noorolahi on either wing.

In any of those positions, one would think we’d see him only if Iran needs a goal, or thinks it can get one.

3': Harry Maguire is appealing for a penalty after he is pulled to the ground. The referee has waved the game on.

1': Kieran Trippier makes a good cross into the box but no England player was able to get onto the end of it.

England players have taken a knee ahead of kick-off in Qatar. We are now underway at the Khalifa International Stadium.

A pretty significant moment as they display their disapproval of what has been going on in their home country.

They are walking out the tunnel onto the pitch of the Khalifa International Stadium.

We're edging nearer to kick off.

I'd love to say there is an atmosphere building inside the stadium but with fans slow to filter in, and with the PA system so loud, it's actually very hard for any genuine atmosphere to develop.

Certainly a ton of Iran fans will be in the stands based on preliminary indications outside the stadium.

I passed at least three pretty huge groups of Iran fans, many of whom were wearing "Woman. Life. Freedom." shirts and carrying flags from pre-Islamic Revolution.

However loud the atmosphere is, it should certainly be charged.

While I don't know how hot it is on the pitch, what I can exclusively reveal is that the whole pitch is in the shade for now. So maybe that will help.

The England captain will be wearing a FIFA-approved 'No Discrimination' armband, the one that the world's governing body mentioned they would be distributing in a statement earlier today.

At least that's sorted then, hopefully...

Fans are struggling to get into the stadium ahead of England’s game against Iran at the World Cup.

Supporters reported that FIFA’s ticketing app updated overnight, and as it updated their tickets were removed from the app.

People at the Khalifa International Stadium are now struggling to get into the ground. After going to the stadium entrance without the tickets on the app, fans were directed to the ticketing centre.

Officials from the stadium have been filmed explaining why fans will not be allowed into the ground without their tickets. They were told there are barcodes on the emails when they bought the tickets — and officials are now arranging for the tickets to be printed as a backup solution.

Around 40 minutes before kick-off, one of the ticketing centres was shut and fans were diverted to another.

Will they be left outside the stadium when the game begins in thirty minutes?

GO FURTHER

Fans struggling to get into England vs Iran game due to ticketing issue

Kane and Maguire lead out the England outfield players in their blue trianing shirts. Good reception from the fans but it's hard to hear over U2.

And now they're playing 'It's coming home'.

It feels like there are more Iran fans than England here today but it's not really clear yet inside the stadium. Lots of England flags dotted around especially down to my left.

First impression of the air conditioning from up in the press box is that it's working very well. It's a hot day but it's cool up here. But what it's like down on the pitch... I'm not sure!

The Athletic is based in Doha and at our offices, and our reporters are currently analysing the England match.

Let us know where you're watching the group-stage opener and tune in as we bring you all the insight you need before and after the game.