The FIFA World Cup was established in 1930 and, in the 21 tournaments staged so far, a total of five countries have appeared in the final without winning. Sweden and Croatia have made just one appearance apiece, but Sweden, as hosts, were beaten 5-2 by Brazil at the Rasunda Stadium in Solna in 1958, while Croatia were beaten 4-2 by France at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow in 2018.

Similarly, two countries have experienced double heartbreak in the World Cup final, losing on both appearances. Hungary had the dubious distinction of scoring twice in normal time on both occasions, but lost 4-2 to defending champions Italy at the Stade Olympique de Colombes in Paris in 1938 and 3-2 to West Germany at the Wanksdorf Stadium in Bern in 1954. Long before the country split to become the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, Czechoslovakia experienced a comparable fate, losing out 2-1, after extra time, against hosts Italy at Stadio Nazionale del PNF in Rome in 1934 and 3-1 to defending champions Brazil at Estadio Nacional in Santiago in 1962.

Arguably the unluckiest country in the history of the World Cup, though, is the Netherlands, who have made three appearances in the final and finished runner-up on all three occasions. In 1974, the Netherlands, captained by Johann Cruyff, faced hosts West Germany and took the lead after just two minutes, courtesy of a Johan Neeskens penalty. However, they conceded twice later in the first half and eventually lost 2-1. In 1978, a late equaliser from Dutch forward Dick Nanninga took the match against Argentina at the Estadio Monumental into extra time, but the hosts scored twice in the first period to make the final score 3-1. Oranje, as the team is known colloquially, made it third time unlucky with a 1-0 defeat, again after extra time, against Spain at Soccer City, Johannesburg in 2010.

At the time of writing, the player who has made the most appearances at the FIFA World Cup finals is the former captain of Germany – and, before that, West Germany – Lothar Matthäus. Matthäus has the distinction of being the most capped German player of all time, having represented his country on 150 occasions, including 23 prior to German reunification in October, 1990. Over two decades after his retirement, Matthäus remains one of just six players to have played in five World Cups and his 25 appearances at the global showpiece remain a record.

Matthäus made his World Cup debut at Estadio El Molinón in Gijón, Spain on June 20, 1982, replacing Paul Breitner after 61 minutes during a 4-1 victory over Chile in the first group stage. He also replaced Karl-Heinz Rummenigge after 66 minutes of a controversial 1-0 win over Austria at the same venue five days later, subsequently dubbed the ‘Disgrace of Gijón’, but took no further part in the second group or knockout stages.

Four years later, Matthäus was a regular starter in Mexico, scoring a late winner against Morocco in the round of 16 and again in a penalty shoot-out against the hosts in the quarter-finals. West Germany reached the final, as they had done in 1982, but lost 3-2 to Argentina. At Italia ’90, which was the last World Cup to feature a team from West Germany, Matthäus, as captain, enjoyed his finest hour. He scored twice in the opening fixture against Yugoslavia – once with his left foot and once with his right – to lay the foundations of a unbeaten run to the final, which West Germany won 1-0, courtesy of a late Andreas Brehme penalty.

In 1994, in the United States, featured as a sweeper, although he did score a penalty against Bulgaria in the quarter-final, which Germany ultimately lost 2-1. In 1998, in France, Matthäus fulfilled a similar role, at the age of 37, to cement his reputation as one of the most talented, versatile and intelligent footballers of all time, both in midfield and defence.

As far as politics goes, the FIFA World Cup is unlikely to throw up a match-up with more animosity. Through years of cultural divides and accusations of meddling from both sides, one thing is clear: America and Iran are not allies. It would even be churlish to say they are associates. Sanctions and years of cultural division has meant that this match, just as it did in the past, arrives with an already lit fuse.

The drama also stems from the fact that, really, both teams are not great. They will play on the third match day, and both could already be out by this point. Both might also know that a result could see them through – given how tight the group is after England, it is almost impossible to determine who will be left at the end of this process.

One thing is for sure – this is going to be one of the most exciting match-ups of the group stages.

Who will win this tie?

Iran. America arrive with a coach under pressure, a forward line who love to miss goals, and no real tactical fluency. They look all over the place. Iran, meanwhile, arrive amid a challenging political and social backdrop. What they do have, though, is a team that has immense continuity together and a coach who has managed them one and off for years.

In Carlos Queiroz, they have the better tactician. In Mehdi Taremi, they have the best striker. Throw in the chance for immortality with a win, too, and this feels like an Iranian win is forthcoming.

VERDICT: 1-0

As another one of the more intriguing matches of Group B, England will take on old friend/foe America. The United States come into the tournament in a bit of flux; mediocre results, poor performances, and a real uncertainty about key positions in the team. Sound like England?

Both teams are expecting to come first and second, and this match will have some pretty significant implications on that side of things. Expect England to come into this match on the back on a win against Iran, while America will hope to take at least one point from the game against Wales.

This is a tough match-up to call, as America do have two things that England dislike; pace on the counter, and athleticism. If England can pressure a weak backline and an uncertain goalkeeping rotation, though, there is no reason why the Three Lions cannot undo the USMNT with relative comfort.

Who will win this tie?

England win. America are decent, but more or less every forward they have is unproven and/or out of form. They come into this with some decent players, but it would be fair to say that American eyes are more focused on building for hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026. This match will be a big one for their players, especially given how many USMNT players are in the English Premier League.

Still, we cannot see anything other than an England victory. America are simply too uncertain in key positions, and England are pretty lethal against such opposition.

VERDICT: 4-2