Iran Fight Back Twice to Hold New Zealand in Thrilling World Cup Group G Opener

KUALA LUMPUR, June, 2026 — Iran began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a dramatic 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their Group G opener at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.

The match delivered one of the most entertaining contests of the tournament so far, with Iran twice coming from behind to deny New Zealand what would have been a historic World Cup victory.

New Zealand made a fast start and stunned the large crowd in the seventh minute. Captain Chris Wood helped create the opening chance after pressing Iran’s build-up, before Elijah Just finished sharply to give the All Whites an early lead.

Iran responded in the 32nd minute through Ramin Rezaeian, who reacted quickly after a blocked effort inside the penalty area. His finish brought Iran level and shifted momentum back toward Team Melli before half-time.

The first half ended 1-1, but the match remained open, intense and full of attacking intent from both sides. New Zealand looked dangerous when using Wood as a focal point, while Iran pushed forward with energy through wide areas and set-piece pressure.

New Zealand restored their lead in the 54th minute, again through Elijah Just. Wood once more played a key role, holding up the ball and setting up Just for his second goal of the match.

However, Iran refused to collapse. In the 64th minute, Rezaeian produced a long delivery into the box, and Mohammad Mohebbi headed in the equaliser to make it 2-2.

Both teams continued searching for a winner after the fourth goal, but neither side could find the decisive finish. The Guardian reported that Iran ended the match with 17 total shots compared with New Zealand’s 14, while New Zealand had more efforts on target, leading 8-4 in that category.

For Iran, the draw showed resilience under difficult circumstances. AP reported that Iran’s World Cup build-up had been affected by political tensions and travel complications, including the team moving its training base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico.

Iran had also requested for its group-stage matches to be moved out of the United States, but FIFA rejected that request. Despite the difficult backdrop, the players managed to focus on the game and fight back twice on the pitch.

The atmosphere at SoFi Stadium was also significant. AP reported that the match took place in front of a strong pro-Iranian crowd in the Los Angeles area, home to one of the largest Iranian communities outside Iran.

For New Zealand, the result was both encouraging and frustrating. The All Whites showed attacking quality, tactical discipline and composure against an Iran side ranked far higher by FIFA. AP noted that New Zealand entered the tournament as the lowest-ranked team in the field and were playing in their first World Cup since 2010.

Elijah Just was the standout performer for New Zealand, scoring both goals and giving the team real belief that they can compete in a difficult Group G. His partnership with Chris Wood was one of the strongest features of the All Whites’ performance.

Chris Wood’s influence was especially important. Even without scoring, the veteran forward played a major role in both New Zealand goals, using his physical presence and experience to unsettle Iran’s defence.

Iran, meanwhile, will take positives from the way they responded under pressure. Rezaeian was heavily involved in both goals, scoring the first equaliser and assisting Mohebbi’s second-half header.

The result also keeps Group G wide open. Earlier in the same group, Belgium and Egypt also drew 1-1, meaning all four teams began their campaigns with one point each.

The Guardian noted that the match completed a rare World Cup day in which all four games ended in draws, something it said had not happened since 1958. The other results were Spain 0-0 Cape Verde, Belgium 1-1 Egypt and Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay.

Iran will next face Belgium, while New Zealand will take on Egypt. Both matches could be crucial in deciding which teams move closer to the knockout stage.

For Iran, the next challenge is to build on their attacking response while tightening their defence, especially after allowing New Zealand to take the lead twice.

For New Zealand, the performance offers confidence but also a reminder that they must manage key moments better. A victory was within reach, but Iran’s quality and experience allowed them to recover.

the 2-2 draw was a strong opening statement from both teams. Iran showed character and persistence, while New Zealand proved they can trouble higher-ranked opponents with direct attacking play and smart movement around Chris Wood.

The result may feel like a missed opportunity for New Zealand, but it also gives them a valuable point and belief ahead of the rest of Group G. For Iran, the comeback keeps their campaign alive and shows that Team Melli remain capable of fighting through difficult moments on and off the pitch.