'It's NOT coming home... because of Harry Maguire!': Iran fans brutally mock England's centre back in the build up to opening World Cup game in Qatar... as they claim out-of-form Man United star's defending is 'terrifying'
- Iran fans have been pictured mocking England's Harry Maguire ahead of clash
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Iran fans have been pictured mocking England defender Harry Maguire with banners ahead of the 2022 World Cup clash between the two sides.
The Three Lions are set to open their World Cup campaign against Group B opponents Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium later this afternoon.
The excitement is already building with fans gathering outside the ground already with some Iranian supporters posing with banners to banter Manchester United and England star Maguire ahead of the match.
![Iran fans mocked England centre back Harry Maguire ahead of their Group B clash on Monday with one banner suggesting football 'is not coming home' because of the Man United defender](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/11/64770931-11452291-image-a-43_1669030392116.jpg)
Iran fans mocked England centre back Harry Maguire ahead of their Group B clash on Monday with one banner suggesting football 'is not coming home' because of the Man United defender
![Another banner hit out at the England player by claiming that his defending is 'terrifying'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/11/64770675-11452291-image-m-45_1669030400525.jpg)
Another banner hit out at the England player by claiming that his defending is 'terrifying'
One of the banners targeting the out-of-form player read: 'It's not coming home because of Harry Maguire.'
While a second banner claimed: 'Harry Maguire your defense is terrifying.'
The 29-year-old, who was named in the Euro 2020 team of the tournament, has often been a target of heavy criticism, especially given his form at United last season and so far this campaign.
![The 29-year-old England defender has often been a target of heavy criticism for his displays](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/11/64770245-11452291-image-a-29_1669029045596.jpg)
The 29-year-old England defender has often been a target of heavy criticism for his displays
Maguire has appeared in just four Premier League matches this season under Erik ten Hag and has fallen below Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in the pecking order.
He also struggled to perform for the Three Lions during June and September's Nations League games as they were relegated from the top tier.
Despite his recent fortunes, he is expected to be a key part of Gareth Southgate's squad during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and was named in the starting line-up to face Iran this afternoon.
Boss Southgate is backing Maguire to perform just like he did in both the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.
'Loyalty comes from performances over time - and knowing that to play for England is a different experience to any other. Players have to be able to handle that,' Southgate told the media at his press conference.
![England boss Gareth Southgate is backing Maguire to perform like in the last two tournaments](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/11/64767791-11452291-England_boss_Gareth_Southgate_is_backing_Maguire_to_perform_like-m-32_1669029966426.jpg)
England boss Gareth Southgate is backing Maguire to perform like in the last two tournaments
'The ones that have been here longer, we know they can do that. What are his strengths? Well, he's technically a fantastic footballer with the ball.
'He's a very strong leader in the team. His physical stature, the aerial challenge is one - we haven't got anybody else with that physical presence.
'And of course, there is the relationships with other players in the defence which are also part of your thinking when you're picking a team, because that understanding you don't have long to work on and the more those relationships are there over a period of time I think it is helpful.'
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