How have England previously fared against their 2022 World Cup opposition?

The Three Lions have performed well at major tournaments in recent years, and they will undoubtedly be one of the main contenders for the title.

However, before England can think about the knockout stage, they must first progress through the group stage without too many hiccups.

Here, we take a look a closer look at the teams they will face in Qatar.

Southgate's men will kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran in what will be the first ever senior competitive game between the two nations.

While Iran might not be a powerhouse of world football, they shouldn't be easily underestimated. This is a team which made the World Cup finals on five occasions - including the most recent event in Russia.

Back in 2018, they won one match, drew one and lost one as they finished third in a group which contained Portugal, Spain and Morocco.

Iran are yet to progress past the group stage in their World Cup history, but they will be hoping to change that under the management of Croatian coach Dragan Skocic.

The Americans are back in the World Cup after securing their ticket to Qatar by claiming the final available spot in the CONCACAF qualifiers - finishing ahead of Costa Rica by virtue of goal difference.

This will be the 11th World Cup for the USA, who enjoyed their best run back in 1930 when they reached the semi-final.

Interestingly, the United States is unbeaten against England in the World Cup. Back in 1950, they produced one of their greatest ever victories when they beat the Three Lions 1-0 in the group stage.

Their second meeting came in 2010 with the teams playing out a 1-1 draw in their opening fixture of that tournament. That match has gone down in history for Rob Green's goalkeeping calamity.

England could face the prospect of a British derby at the World Cup, should Scotland or Wales progress to the finals.

The Welsh have already booked their place to the play-off final, as Gareth Bale's spectacular brace against Austria helped his side to a 2-1 win. Rob Page's side will now play the winner of the semi-final between Scotland and Ukraine - a match which is yet to be scheduled due to the ongoing conflict in the eastern European nation.

The Scots haven't been to a World Cup since 1998, but Steve Clarke's men did force a goalless draw when they played England at Wembley during the group stages of Euro 2020.

Wales, on the other hand, made their sole World Cup appearance back in 1958. The Dragons lost 2-1 to England when they clashed during the group stages of Euro 2016 in France.

With regards to Ukraine, England enjoyed a comprehensive 4-0 win during their Euro 2020 quarter-final clash.