ITV Names 6-Person Team for Belgium-Iran Match, Led by Pougatch and Keane

Q: With the USMNT awaiting the winner, can Iran's experienced squad upset a favored but faltering Belgian team in Los Angeles?

Yes—Iran have already shown they can trouble Belgium, even if they did not complete the upset. The latest reporting indicates the match in Los Angeles ended 0-0, with Iran frustrating a favored Belgian side that had entered under pressure after a 1-1 draw with Egypt. That result underlines the central point: Belgium remain the bigger name, but they are not playing like a dominant contender. Their World Cup form has looked flat, their attack has lacked sharpness, and concerns about an aging core and incomplete transition to a new generation remain valid. Iran’s experienced squad proved why they were a dangerous opponent. They stayed compact, defended with discipline, and relied on key veterans such as Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh to give them composure. Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was decisive, producing major saves, while Iran also had a Taremi goal ruled out for offside. In Los Angeles, the large Iranian support added to the sense that this was a genuine opportunity for them. So the answer is that Iran were capable of an upset and, in practical terms, delivered a significant result by taking a point. They did not beat Belgium, but they exposed Belgium’s vulnerabilities and kept Group G wide open. As for the USMNT, there is no winner from this match alone for the Americans to await. The draw means both Belgium and Iran remain in contention, and the final group standings will determine who, if anyone, goes on to face the United States in the knockout bracket.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 21

ITV will put Mark Pougatch, Emma Hayes, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira in the studio for Belgium vs Iran, with Joe Speight and Lucy Ward on commentary.
8 p.m. BST kickoff coverage starts an hour earlier on ITV and ITVX, with both Group G sides chasing a first win after opening draws.
Belgium drew with Egypt and Iran drew with New Zealand, making the Los Angeles match the second round of Group G.