Iran are readying for their opening match of the World Cup 2026 after an incident heavy build-up to the tournament. Iran will face New Zealand in Group G hoping to secure a win and move to the top of the table after Belgium and Egypt played out an earlier 1-1 draw.
Iran’s captain Mehdi Taremi has criticised Fifa for the impact that his nation’s war with the US has had on preparations with the team having been forced to move their base to Mexico amid visa issues plaguing members of their delegation and travelling fans being stripped of match tickets.
Iranian protesters have also vowed to disrupt the match to show their displeasure at the brutal ruling regime, with plans to boo the anthem and turn their backs to display currently prohibited pre-revolutionary flags. If that happens, there is a chance the match could be halted, with Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei under specific instructions from the country’s government to stop play if pre-revolutionary flags are brandished or if negative chanting is audible.
This match is more than just the action on the pitch especially following Donald Trump’s announcement of a US-Iran peace agreement. Yet the players will need to distance themselves from outside noise and pressures to perform at their best.
Follow all of the latest from Iran v New Zealand with our live blog below:
New Zealand strike after Just exposes Iran
7 mins: Iran 0-1 New Zealand
GOAL! Elijah Just has smacked home the opener!
It all comes from Chris Wood, superb link-up play, a strong, traditional centre forward, and Iran just couldn’t get around him quick enough.
Just then wallops it, a clean, crisp finish that sends the Kiwis in attendance mad. What a start.
Iran and New Zealand underway in political World Cup encounter
2 mins: Iran 0-0 New Zealand
Iranian Americans protested ahead of kick-off in Los Angeles, but the Iranian anthem was cheered inside the stadium.
The noise inside SoFi Stadium is all for Iran, loud whistles as the All Whites, wearing black, pass it out, and then lose it in midfield.
Iran vs New Zealand
10 minutes from kick-off now in Los Angeles, in what sgould be a fascinating encounter for several reasons.
On the pitch, Iran will be heavy favourites against the lowest-ranked team in the tournament.
The surreal possibility hanging over Iran’s perilous World Cup campaign
Delving into the history books, glazing over a 96-year story of international football’s top-tier event, not much looks out of place in analysing Iraq’s triumvirate of one-goal defeats at the 1986 World Cup. Nor Argentina’s disappointing second group stage exit in 1982, when Diego Maradona first flirted with the globe’s greatest stage. Yet their significance, some four decades on, is now pertinent as the tournament takes place in the United States.
Back then, Argentina and Iraq were two countries competing in the World Cup while embroiled in international warfare. Argentina surrendered in the Falklands War just one day after Spain ‘82 started and, mercifully, did not draw any of the three British teams taking part, while Iraq were in the midst of an eight-year war with Iran at Mexico ‘86. Tension between the two remains ubiquitous. Yet beyond civil conflicts, there have been no comparable examples since. “Football unites the world,” is the tired slogan continually belted out by Fifa president Gianni Infantino. Well, not this time.
The surreal possibility hanging over Iran’s perilous World Cup campaign
Taremi speaks on preparations
“I have felt the tension from the first moment we arrived at this World Cup,” said Taremi ahead of Iran’s opening game.
“This kind of tension, it undermines that joy and it undermines the message of Fifa and our people, which is that football brings about peace. I feel like this World Cup could have provided a better atmosphere than it has, but I hope in the future it will be better for all fans, whatever team they are supporting in the World Cup,” he added.
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi criticises Fifa over impact of USA war at World Cup 2026
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi says his team is having a challenging World Cup 2026 experience amid the multifold disruptions created by their nation’s war with the U.S., the tournament’s co-host.
The Iranians arrived in the Los Angeles area on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, just over the U.S. border — about 140 miles (225km) from the stadium where they will open group-stage play against New Zealand on Monday night. Iran‘s training camp was relocated from the U.S. after the war began, and the Iranian team has endured numerous distractions since then, including visa problems.
Why Fifa has banned Iran’s pre-revolutionary flag at World Cup 2026
Iranian Americans initiated protests at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles before Iran’s World Cup 2026 opener against New Zealand and others displayed the banned pre-revolutionary flag despite Fifa’s ban being upheld.
Some had called on Iranians to unite and forget politics but others displayed symbols of protest against the government.
After flying to the USA on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, a deal was announced to end the U.S.-Iran war. Los Angeles is the biggest home to the Iranian community outside of Iran after many fled the country following the Islamic Revolution.
The World Cup 2026 has left fans split, with some excited to see their team play football on the biggest stage of the sport, though others remain overwhelmingly angry at Tehran’s crackdown on protesters, with concern over Washington’s bombing campaign.
Trump says US-Iran peace deal signed but Israel rules out withdrawing from Lebanon
Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end America’s’ war with Iran has been signed by both sides as Israel vowed to keep its forces in Lebanon.
The agreement will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and extend a ceasefire for 60 days, allowing negotiations on issues such as Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions.
