Iran Opens 2026 World Cup Campaign with Draw Against New Zealand

WANA (Jun 16) – Iran’s national football team began its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Group G, a result that came despite Amir Ghalenoei’s side entering the match as favorites to secure all three points.

The match was played early Tuesday morning at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. With Belgium and Egypt drawing 1-1 in the other Group G fixture, both Iran and New Zealand had an opportunity to take an early step toward qualification. Instead, the points were shared, leaving the group standings tightly balanced after the opening round.

Iran started brightly and adopted an attacking approach from the outset, creating several threats down the flanks. However, against the run of play, New Zealand took the lead in the seventh minute. A well-worked move involving Chris Wood and Elijah Just ended with Just firing a precise shot past goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand to put the Oceania side ahead.

Iran gradually gained control of possession after conceding. In the 23rd minute, Mehdi Taremi came close to equalizing when his powerful effort struck the post. Minutes later, Mohammad Mohebi went down inside the penalty area in a controversial incident, but the referee waved play on and declined to award a penalty.

Iran’s pressure finally paid off in the 32nd minute. Ramin Rezaeian capitalized on a flowing attacking move and calmly finished from close range to bring his side level. Iran thought it had taken the lead just before halftime when Ali Nemati headed home from a set piece, but the goal was ruled out for offside, leaving the score tied at 1-1 at the break.

Seeking greater attacking impetus, Ghalenoei introduced Mehdi Ghayedi at the start of the second half, followed by Ali Alipour. Yet it was New Zealand that struck next, once again exploiting weaknesses in Iran’s defensive organization. In the 55th minute, Elijah Just took advantage of defensive lapses to score his second goal of the night and restore New Zealand’s lead.

Iran responded quickly. In the 64th minute, Rezaeian delivered a pinpoint cross that found Mohammad Mohebi, whose header crossed the line after striking the post, making it 2-2.

Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but neither was able to convert its chances, and the match ended in an entertaining draw.

While Iran showed attacking promise, defensive shortcomings proved costly. Ghalenoei’s men struggled to contain New Zealand’s counterattacks throughout the match, and both goals conceded stemmed from defensive errors. On the positive side, Rezaeian emerged as Iran’s standout performer, contributing one goal and one assist.

The result leaves all four teams in Group G level on one point after the opening round of matches. Iran will next face Belgium on June 21 in a fixture that could play a decisive role in determining the team’s chances of advancing to the knockout stage.