MONDAY’S GAMES
GROUP B: ENGLAND VS. IRAN
Where: Khalifa International Stadium
Time: 5 a.m. PST
TV: FS1, Telemundo, Peacock
The buzz: England’s back line has been depleted by injuries, leaving the Three Lions thin on defense. That could put added pressure on Tottenham’s Harry Kane, whose six goals led all scorers in 2018 when England finished fourth, equaling its best performance since winning the World Cup in 1966. Iran’s Portuguese manager Carlos Queiroz, who couldn’t get Iran out of group play in the last two World Cups, chose Bayer Leverkusen’s Sardar Azmoun, the country’s leading active scorer, for his team despite the fact Azmoun hasn’t played since Oct. 4 because of a calf problem. This will be the first meeting between these two countries.
GROUP A: SENEGAL VS. NETHERLANDS
Where: Al Thumama Stadium
Time: 8 a.m. PST
TV: Fox, Telemundo, Peacock
The buzz: Senegal was dealt a devastating blow late last week when it learned it would be without Sadio Mane, a twotime African player of the year. Mane suffered an injury to his right leg in Bayern Munich’s penultimate game before the World Cup break and will need surgery. Without Mane, Senegal’s all-time leading scorer, the team does not have a player with more than 10 career international goals. The Dutch, ranked eighth in the world, have lost just twice in the last two years and came to Qatar riding a 15-match unbeaten streak. Their top player is Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, who finished second in voting for the world player of the year award in 2019.
GROUP B: U.S. VS. WALES
Where: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
Time: 11 a.m. PST
TV: Fox, Telemundo, Peacock
The buzz: Among World Cup qualifiers only Ghana has a roster younger than that of the U.S., whose players average 25 years of age. And defender DeAndre Yedlin, who played 115 minutes off the bench in 2014, is the only person on the roster who has played in a World Cup. The Americans, who haven’t won since early June, came to Qatar with a number of injury concerns, but goalkeeper Matt Turner has pronounced himself fit and midfielder Weston McKennie has been training regularly. Wales, playing in its second World Cup and first since 1958, got here by beating Ukraine in a playoff in June on a goal from LAFC’s Gareth Bale. Wales hasn’t won since and Bale said after LAFC’s MLS Cup win that he is not 100%.
GROUP C: ARGENTINA VS. SAUDI ARABIA
Where: Lusail Stadium
Time: 2 a.m. PST (Tuesday)
TV: FS1, Telemundo, Peacock
The buzz: A World Cup title is one of the few things missing from Lionel Messi’s resume and this could be the year he finally gets that. Argentina entered the tournament unbeaten in its last 36 matches dating to 2019 and a win or draw here would match the year-old record of 37 set by Italy. La Albiceleste come in hot, having won their last five games by a combined 19-0 and having given up just two goals in nine games this year. Saudi Arabia, participating in its second World Cup since 2006, has played a heavy schedule this year and won just three times in 14 tries, although it did play the U.S. and Ecuador to scoreless draws and held Croatia to a goal in its last outing.