Gareth Southgate's men begin their quest for a first world title since 1966, having reached the semi-finals four years ago and the final of Euro 2020 last year.

However, standing in their way is an Iran team looking to make further history for their nation as they aim to win a World Cup game for just the third time.

Here, Sports Mole compares the key statistics between the 26-man parties named by both managers.

ENGLAND

England players pose before a Nations League game in September 2022 © Reuters

Most valuable player:
Phil Foden (£95.7m)

Overall squad value:
£1.1bn

Most capped player:
Raheem Sterling (79)

Leading goalscorer:
Harry Kane (51)

Total caps:
820

Total goals:
118

Oldest player:
Jordan Henderson (32)

Youngest player:
Jude Bellingham (19)

Average age:
26.4

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Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Everton, loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United)

Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), James Maddison (Leicester City), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)

IRAN

Iran players pose for a team group photo before the match on November 10, 2022 © Reuters

Most valuable player:
Mehdi Taremi (£17.4m)

Overall squad value:
£51.8m

Most capped player:
Ehsan Hajsafi (121)

Leading goalscorer:
Sardar Azmoun (41)

Total caps:
980

Total goals:
149

Oldest player:
Vahid Amiri (34)

Youngest player:
Abolfazl Jalali (24)

Average age:
28.9

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Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Amir Abedzadeh (Ponferradina), Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal), Payam Niazmand (Sepahan)

Defenders: Ehsan Hajsafi (AEK Athens), Morteza Pouraliganji (Persepolis), Ramin Rezaeian (Sepahan), Milad Mohammadi (AEK Athens), Hossein Kanaanizadegan (Al-Ahli), Shojae Khalilzadeh (Al-Ahli), Sadegh Moharrami (Dinamo Zagreb), Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal), Majid Hosseini (Kayserispor), Abolfazl Jalali (Esteghlal)

Midfielders: Vahid Amiri (Persepolis), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Feyenoord), Saeid Ezatolahi (Vejle), Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis), Saman Ghoddos (Brentford), Ali Gholizadeh (Charleroi), Ahmad Nourollahi (Shabab Al-Ahli), Ali Karimi (Kayserispor)

Forwards: Karim Ansarifard (Omonia), Sardar Azmoun (Bayer Leverkusen), Mehdi Taremi (Porto)