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Who could England face if Iran are kicked out of the World Cup? UAE and Italy linked as FIFA receive letter requesting that Three Lions’ rivals are banned from Qatar tournament
There is much speculation that England could face new opponents to open their World Cup campaign amid growing calls for Iran to be expelled from Qatar.
The Three Lions are due to open their tournament in Group B against Carlos Queiroz's side next month before playing USA and then Wales.
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That fixture is due to be placed on on November 21, however Iran’s place in Qatar is being questioned.
That is due to women in the country being repeatedly denied entry into football games, which contravenes Fifa rules.
"Iran's brutality and belligerence towards its own people has reached a tipping point, demanding an unequivocal and firm disassociation from the footballing and sports world," a group of Iranian footballers and sports personalities said.
"Women have been consistently denied access to stadia across the country and systematically excluded from the football ecosystem in Iran, which sharply contrasts with Fifa's values and statutes.
"If women are not allowed into stadia across the country, and the Iranian Football Federation is simply following and enforcing governmental guidelines, they cannot be seen as an independent organisation and free from any form or kind of influence. This is a violation of (Article 19) of Fifa's statutes."
FIFA have now received a request to suspend the Iranian Football Federation and kick Iran out of the World Cup.
But who could replace the Middle Eastern nation from November’s showpiece if they are removed? Let's take a look...
Who could replace Iran at the World Cup?
Should Iran's ban be granted then England would be given new World Cup opponents in Group B to join USA and Wales.
It is unclear as of yet who that would be, but the most likely nation to be rewarded with tournament entry would be the UAE.
The UAE were the Asian nation that went furthest in World Cup qualification without reaching Qatar having lost to Australia 2-1 in a play-off semi-final in June.
The Socceroos then went onto beat South Americans Peru on penalties in the final to book their spot in the FIFA showpiece event.
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Italy were previously linked as the nation to benefit from a possible Iran expulsion due to FIFA guidelines that reward the team with highest co-efficient in the world rankings.
However, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino already dismissed the idea of the European champions being handed a back-door reprieve.
As it stands, the possibility of Iran being kicked out of the World Cup in Qatar at all look extremely remote with the event next month.
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What has been said?
Labour MP Chris Bryant, the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Russia, has supported calls for Iran to be banned.
Read More on talkSPORT
He told the Telegraph: “Sporting authorities around the world and in every sport should be looking very carefully at Iran’s direct engagement and support for Putin in his illegal invasion of Ukraine.
"Dictatorial regimes relish sporting success. We should deny them that opportunity.”