Iran boss Carlos Queiroz says Gareth Souhgate's England team is the  strongest since 1966

'This is the most competitive English national team since 1966': Iran boss Carlos Queiroz says Gareth Souhgate's England team is the  strongest since the country won the World Cup

They also made the semi-finals of the World Cup last time around and Queiroz knows his team are facing a real test. 

'But also it is a unique opportunity, even for me, and I have 200-and-something international games.

'But it is the first time I have the opportunity to play against the England national team. And for the majority of our players, to play against England is like magic, a unique opportunity, a gift, because in terms of the international calendar, to play England or Germany is almost impossible.

'This new generation that Gareth Southgate is bringing for the national team in my opinion is probably the most talented, the most competitive English national team since 1966.

'This team is very very functional, very practical, very realistic. I work with the generation of Rio, (Paul) Scholes, Beckham, all those guys. But this national team is really really different because they have a realistic approach to any single game which makes them very, very dangerous.'