Belgium v Iran LIVE: Iran question World Cup disruption before Group G clash in LA – UK Times

This will be the first time Belgium and Iran have played each other.

Belgium, semi-finalists in 2018, are bidding to get out of the group stage after a disastrous 2022 World Cup in Qatar where they finished behind Morocco and Croatia.

Iran are attempting to get through to the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time, following three group-stage exits in a row between 2014 and 2022.

Ahead of the 2-2 draw with New Zealand, 300 to 500 protesters ⁠gathered outside the stadium waving anti-Iranian government signs and flags, protesting against the country’s regime and its crackdown on pro-democracy protestors while inside loud jeers were heard from some sections of the crowd during the Iranian national anthem.

Iran are back at the So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles this evening for their clash with Belgium. They will then head to Seattle for their final match against Egypt.

Belgium manager Rudi Garcia makes four changes to the side which drew with Egypt, with Castagne, Onana, De Ketelaere and the ill Doku replaced by De Cupyer, Raskin, Lukaku – who is fit to start despite concerns – and Saelemaekerrs.

Despite forcing the equaliser within seconds of coming onto the pitch during Belgium’s opening draw with Egypt, Romelu Lukaku has not started a match all season and is continuing to build up his fitness at the World Cup.

The Napoli striker only made eight appearances for the Italian side last season, all from the bench, and managed 25 minutes against Egypt.

“We do need to be careful because we could be tempted to play him more than he could safely play, and Belgium want him for the entire tournament, manager Rudi Garcia said.

However, he has been selected in the starting XI tonight.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei: “We ⁠only managed to train half the time we usually spend on training. We wanted to have optimal physical and technical preparation.

“Look at the Belgium team,” he added. “They arrived yesterday ‌noon. They’ve managed to have ​proper training.”

He said they had had 24 hours to prepare before their 2-2 draw with New Zealand on the first matchday. “The conditions have become ‌even harder,” he said.

Ghalenoei, however, praised Fifa president Gianni Infantino and the governing body for attempting to help. “I know for sure that Fifa and Mr Infantino are doing the utmost to ease these challenges that we are facing. I think FIFA did its utmost to minimise the problems we have faced.”

All four teams drew their opening games in Group G, which means no one can progress or be eliminated today. Egypt play New Zealand later this evening.

Iran XI: Beiranvand, Hardani, Hajisafi, Kanani, Nemati, Rezaeian, Ezatolahi, Mohebbi, Ghoddos, Taremi

Substitutes: Niazmand, Hosseini, Mohammadi, Yousefi, Iri, Jahanbaksh, Cheshmi, Torabi, Ghorbani, Razaghinia, Ghayedi, Alipour, Hosseinzadeh, Moghanloo, Dargahi

Belgium XI: Courtois, Mechele, De Cuyper, Meunier, Ngoy, De Bruyne, Tielemans, Saelemaekers, Raskin, Lukaku, Trossard

Substitutes: Lammens, Penders, Theate, Winter, Seys, Castagne, Witzel, Moreira, Vanaken, Onana, Lukebakio, De Ketelaere, Fernandez-Pardo

A French TV presenter has apologised after criticising Belgium winger Jeremy Doku’s decision to leave the World Cup to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.

Doku, who will Belgium’s match against Iran on Sunday due to a chest infection, revealed that his wife Shireen is due during the second week of July – which will coincide with the quarter-finals.

The Manchester City forward, 24, told Reuters that he plans to leave the World Cup and return home even if Belgium are still in the tournament. Belgian media reported that plans are being put in place so Doku can travel home via private jet.

However, Doku’s comments were criticised by Channel L’Equipe presenter France Pierron, who said the father is “completely useless” during their child’s birth.

The hard truth is worth repeating: it is the first time in the World Cup’s 96-year history that a competing nation is at war with a host. Kieran Jackson explains: