Three-time World Cupper Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has warned England to be wary of Iran in their 2022 World Cup opener at the 
Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan on Monday afternoon. 

The Iranians have a couple of eye catching names on their roster for the World Cup including Feyenoord's Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Porto's Mehdi Taremi, Brentford's Saman Ghoddos and Dinamo Zagreb's Sadegh Moharrami.

However, the main weapon the Iranian team has is not a player but coach, Carlos Queiroz, who knows a thing or two about England's style of play having previously worked at Manchester United. 

Only Carlos Alberto Parreira (6) and Bora Milutinovic (5) have been to more World Cups than Queiroz, who is attending his fourth World Cup. 

Okocha has warned Gareth Southgate and his players that their matchup with the Iranians will not be a walk in the park. 

"Iran can play spoilers, spoiling the party for the big guns. Carlos Queiroz is their manager, he's a good tactician and believe you me they will give England a bit to chew," Okocha said on SuperSport. 

"I think at the end of the day if you look at the squad and shape you'll say that they stand no chance but that's the beauty of the game. 

"The beauty of the game is if you get it right on the day you might cause an upset. "

England are the favourites to top Group B of the World Cup, which also includes the United States and Wales.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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