Key events
Eli Just surges into the final third with space in front of him and to his right then knocks the ball into Chris Wood’s feet while he continues his run. Wood turns on all his experience as a centre-forward to tap the ball back into Just’s direction and the All Whites attacker makes no mistake with a shot across the keeper.
ShareGOAL! Iran 1-2X New Zealand (Just 55)
Eli Just has his second goal of the game and Chris Wood his second assist as the All Whites reclaim the lead.
New Zealand’s Elijah Just scores their second goal Photograph: Matthew Childs/ReutersShare
Updated at 22.24 EDT
53 min Shahriar Moghanloo makes ways for another attacker in Ali Alipour. Moghanloo was on the wrong side of a few knocks in the first half and appeared to be playing under some duress. Alipour makes his presence felt immediately with a foul.
51 min Ramin Rezaeian hammers a corner into a dangerous area at the near post but New Zealand defenders close it down.
Ramin Rezaeian takes a corner kick Photograph: Alex Livesey/FIFA/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 22.22 EDT
49 min Correction as Mehdi Ghayedi has replaced Aria Yousefi at half time for Iran. The attacker is straight into the action with a blocked shot.
47 min The second half already looks like a repeat of the first as New Zealand pick out Chris Wood in a dangerous area then Iran quickly launch a counterattack. A moment later the ball is back with Wood to take a speculative shot from outside the box. Wow! Grab a cuppa, or perhaps something stronger, and sit back to enjoy the ride …
Iran’s Saeid Ezatolahi in action with New Zealand’s Chris Wood Photograph: Kirby Lee/ReutersShare
Updated at 22.17 EDT
46 min No half-time changes on either side as Iran make New Zealand wait before getting the second half under way.
Fans of New Zealand enjoy the atmosphere Photograph: Nayra Halm/SPP/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 22.15 EDT
While the Iran team continue to divide opinion just by taking to the field, it has been hard to look away from the action during their first half against New Zealand. “Been following mbm and watching what I can from San Antonio, TX, and have to say, it’s truly rare to see so-called minnows biting at sharks, and rather enjoyable,” Sam MB says. “Long may this continue, and ice your wrists when you can, this one’s a banger!” Pleased to hear that Sam MB can feel my pain from the other side of the globe – but no complaints for sore wrists here.
There have been mixed reactions from Iran fans at Los Angeles Stadium and diaspora around the globe. Here are some thoughts from Karen in Iran …
“Most Iranians, myself included, were hoping that this war, as bad as it was, would bring an end to this oppressive regime. Think how desperate a nation we must be to put all our hopes in the hands of Trump! Well it didn’t quite work out that way and the regime’s still around; with January’s massive killing of protesters still fresh in our memories.
“Younger generation don’t really care much about Iranian football. We used to love being in the World Cup. I remember all the celebrations from my first World Cup in 1998. 2022’s version was right in the middle of our “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement and now this one is right in the middle of the war. To put simply, very very few people actually care about this national team.”
The noise inside Los Angeles Stadium suggests Iran have their fair share of supporters in North America at least.
Flags of the U.S. and Iran are displayed during a protest outside the stadium Photograph: Mike Blake/ReutersShare
Updated at 22.13 EDT
Much of the buildup for Iran and New Zealand’s match was understandably on the Asian nation’s conflict with the US and Israel, and whether or how the team would be able to reach Los Angeles Stadium for their World Cup opener. Alexander Abnos was on hand as the Iran national anthem was loudly jeered by a large portion of the crowd – enough to be audible throughout – though said there seemed to be just as many singing, and the end of it was greeted with a swell of noise.
From there the football did all the talking as both sides set out to attack and delivered an enthralling first half filled with end-to-end action. New Zealand have had more chances with nine shots (five on target), while Iran have had seven shots (two on target). Possession is almost as even as the score with Iran ahead 46-42% (and the ball contested 12% of the time), though that is in part due to the All Whites being happy to lob early crosses to targetman Chris Wood.
ShareHalf time: Iran 1-1 New Zealand
Aaaand breathe! A frenetic first half comes to a close with Iran and New Zealand level and surely more goals to come in the second half with both teams chasing the game.
Fans watch a televised World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Los Angeles. Photograph: Jill Connelly/APShare
Updated at 22.04 EDT
45+5 min Ali Nemati has the ball in the back of the net with a pinpoint header into the bottom corner. But the Iran defender had set off long before Ramin Rezaeian delivered a free kick into the penalty area. The flag goes up immediately for offside and the VAR check is barely worth considering.
Iran’s Ali Nemati scores a goal that was later disallowed Photograph: Daniel Cole/ReutersShare
Updated at 21.59 EDT
45+3 min New Zealand have been finishing the first half stronger but Iran nudge the ball forward through a series of throw-ins. A long throw is sent into the six-yard where a flicked header sails over keeper Max Crocombe and on to the top of the net.
45+1 min New Zealand find space in the final third where Wood picks out Callum McCowatt in space on the right. The attack swings on to his favoured left boot but can’t get enough power into the shot. There will be six minutes of added time.
General view inside the stadium Photograph: Katelyn Mulcahy/FIFA/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 21.55 EDT
45 min Wood hooks the ball around the wall but there is not enough behind the free kick from long range and Beiranvand collects comfortably.
Alireza Beiranvand looks on Photograph: Alex Livesey/FIFA/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 21.52 EDT
44 min New Zealand build and rebuild nicely from the back as they work their way down the left side. Shoja Khalilzadeh arrives late into a challenge on Liberato Cacace and Chris Wood lines up for a shot from the left side of the penalty area.
42 min Iran have an eye on half time with New Zealand allowed extra time on the ball in their own half.
Saeid Ezatolahi of IR Iran receives medical attention Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 21.50 EDT
40 min New Zealand press the Iran defence with the ball sent skyward in their own attacking half. A clash of heads leaves Mohammad Mohebi on the turf and needing attention.
39 min New Zealand move the ball through midfield with ease as Iran settle back and are content to see an early cross to sent toward Chris Wood. The attacker is outnumbered three-to-one inside the penalty area.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei Photograph: Daniel Cole/ReutersShare
Updated at 21.48 EDT
37 min A rare moment of calm on the pitch in Los Angeles as New Zealand pass the ball around their defensive line.
34 min New Zealand hardly needed to be sparked back to life but they are the first to attack after the restart with Wood again at the centre of the action.
A goal befitting an electrifying contest springs out of the chaos. Shahriar Moghanloo was the first to pick up the ball in a penalty-area scramble and get a shot away from close range but a blocked shot left it to Ramin Rezaeian to level the scores.
Fans react during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between IR Iran and New Zealand Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 21.42 EDT
GOAL! Iran 1-1 New Zealand (Rezaeian 32)
Ramin Rezaeian levels for Iran when pouncing on to a loose ball after Shahriar Moghanloo’s shot is blocked.
Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian celebrates scoring their first goal Photograph: Lisi Niesner/ReutersShare
Updated at 21.38 EDT
30 min The end-to-end action continues with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand forced into a diving save before a shot sails over the New Zealand goal.
28 min The game picks up where it left off with Iran straight back into attack. Max Crocombe’s clearance is blocked by Mohammad Mohebi who collapses to ground grabbing at an ankle. VAR check whether there was sufficient contact inside the penalty area but the review is waved away.
Updated at 21.36 EDT
New Zealand lead 1-0 against Iran as we reach the hydration break. The game has more than lived up to its billing as one of the must-watch matches of the group stage with chances at both ends and Eli Just fifth goal in his past six competitive matches for the All Whites separating the sides.
Iran’s Arya Yousefi and Saeid Ezatolahi take a drink during a hydration break REUTERS/Daniel Cole Photograph: Daniel Cole/ReutersShare
Updated at 21.37 EDT
22 min Mehdi Taremi slams a shot into the post! Iran stream forward with a three-on-two against the New Zealand defence and the ball at their captain’s feet. Taremi fires away from outside the penalty area, beats the diving goalkeeper Max Crocombe and is only denied by the right post.
Iran’s Mehdi Taremi shoots at goal and hits the post Photograph: Matthew Childs/ReutersShare
Updated at 21.32 EDT
20 min Iran take control in the midfield to keep the New Zealand defence under pressure. There has been no let up in this game.
18 min Shahriar Moghanloo sets off to chase down a long ball into the penalty area with Finn Surman watching him closely. The defender gives the Iran striker a nudge as they come together. Iran call for a penalty but there was little in that as Moghanloo stays down and gives the players on both sides time to catch their breath.
Finn Surman of New Zealand and Shahriyar Moghanloo of IR Iran compete for the ball Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 21.39 EDT
17 min Iran finally win the ball back in defence and look to open up New Zealand on the counter. Iran have the pace up front to be a serious danger if the All Whites continue with their thoroughly entertaining all out attack.
Iran’s midfielder #06 Saeid Ezatolahi and New Zealand’s forward #20 Callum McCowatt fight for the ball Photograph: Étienne Laurent/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 21.30 EDT
15 min New Zealand pick out Chris Wood in the penalty area again. It is amazing how much space the centre-forward keeps finding. Wood swivels on to his right boot and shoots from close range but forward Shahriar Moghanloo dives desperately to get a boot in and perhaps save the day for Iran.
Iran’s defender #19 Ali Nemati heads the ball past New Zealand’s forward #09 Chris Wood Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 21.27 EDT
14 min New Zealand lock the ball forward for a series of throws. Marko Stamenić wins the second ball in the penalty area, swings wider on to his right boot, the shot is on target but can’t find a way through the sea of boots. The Iran defence looks rattled.
12 min Chris Wood creates something out of nothing again to pick a way through the Iran defence and find Sarpreet Singh hovering in space inside the penalty area. A step left then right almost opens up a sight on goal but Singh slices a hurried shot wide for a goal kick.
New Zealand’s Chris Wood in action with Iran’s Saeid Ezatolahi Photograph: Lisi Niesner/ReutersShare
Updated at 21.26 EDT
9 min The goal has taken the wind out of Iran’s sails as New Zealand settle into two defensive lines.
All Whites goalkeeper Max Crocombe launched the attack with a long ball to Chris Wood who was able to bring the ball under control despite being outnumbered by Iran defenders. Wood as a bullocking target was always likely to be the biggest concern for Iran and with New Zealand taking an early lead I suspect we’ll see much more of the same from here.
Iran’s Mehdi Taremi shoots at goal and hits the post as New Zealand’s Max Crocombe dives Photograph: Matthew Childs/ReutersShare
Updated at 21.35 EDT
GOAL! Iran 0-1 New Zealand (Just 7)
New Zealand score with their first real foray forward. Chris Wood with a blend of control and chaos opens up the opportunity for Eli Just to slam the ball into the back of the net against the run of play.
New Zealand’s Elijah Just scores their first goal past Iran’s Alireza Beiranvand Photograph: Daniel Cole/ReutersShare
Updated at 21.24 EDT
6 min Aria Yousefi fires in the first shot of the game after receiving the ball on the left side of the penalty area and cutting back on to his right foot. There wasn’t quite enough venom on the strike as goalkeeper Max Crocombe collected with ease.
4 min New Zealand are forced to defend again with Iran continuing to win the ball back in the midfield. The early exchanges have been frenetic but the All Whites look up for matching Iran’s physicality.
2 min Iran launch the ball back into attack where a tough challenge from New Zealand on the edge of the box clears the danger and is given the OK by the referee.
Fans hold up the banners of a message Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 21.45 EDT
1 min An electric start from Iran as they quickly win the ball back from the kick-off and send it down the right and into the penalty box. The New Zealand defence clears under pressure.
ShareKick-off
Peeeeeep! The waiting is over and all the attention finally turns to football as New Zealand get us under way in the World Cup Group G match against Iran at Los Angeles Stadium.
New Zealand’s Marko Stamenic in action with Iran’s Arya Yousefi Photograph: Kiyoshi Mio/IMAGN IMAGES/ReutersShare
Updated at 21.19 EDT
New Zealand’s national anthem rings out next and we aren’t too far away from kick-off at Los Angeles Stadium. But if you have a moment to dive deep into the difficulties the Iran team has faced in the buildup to the tournament, head here …
Updated at 21.02 EDT
Iran players are lined up for the national anthem, right hand across their heart as they sing along and cheers fill Los Angeles Stadium.
Iran players line up with their player escorts during the national anthems before the match Photograph: Daniel Cole/ReutersShare
Updated at 21.18 EDT
New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley has just explained that Matt Garbett has suffered World Cup heartbreak with a hamstring injury on the eve of the tournament. Logan Rogerson has taken his place in the squad.
double quotation markIt’s devastating news for Matt Garbett, he had a hamstring issue in training a couple of days ago, and when we went through all the medical stuff it turned out worse. It was a bad one …
We’ve got to rise to the occasion. We’ve to go out there and enjoy it. Give it everything and work together, work hard, work together and let’s have a great day.
Australia defender Kai Trewin was the next to benefit from the battle between social media influencers before the World Cup started, but Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha did much of his own hard work with a stunning performance in the draw with Spain. From 50,000 followers before that game started, Vozinha now has more than 4.1 million people watching his Instagram account (including, it must be said, Guardian Sport).
Updated at 20.52 EDT
New Zealand have enjoyed a much more settled buildup to the World Cup with the spotlight turning on to their unheralded Tim Payne rather than their participation at the tournament. The defender has become a social media sensation with more than 5.7 million followers on Instagram. Join the Tim Payne party or find out more about his newfound fame.
Tim Payne #2 of New Zealand poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2026 portrait session Photograph: Harry How/FIFA/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 21.17 EDT
The Iran players and team staff have had an unusually difficult and disrupted buildup to the World Cup. Iran captain and striker Mehdi Taremi has said the controversy and disruption surrounding their involvement at the World Cup undermines Fifa’s message of peace and conceded he felt the tension before arriving in Los Angeles on the eve of their opener, hours before a peace deal was announced. For the first time since the competition’s inception, a host nation has received a country with which it is at war.
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Alexander Abnos
Alexander Abnos, the Guardian’s senior sports editor in the US, has a close on the buildup in Los Angeles …
There were scattered protests outside Los Angeles Stadium, but nothing that, from my vantage points, seem to have been especially disruptive. On the west side of the stadium, the most vocal show of protest is a man with a megaphone chanting that the Iranian team represents IRGC terrorists, free Iran, and other slogans in Farsi. I understand there is a larger gathering on the east side, numbering about 200 people.
The Iranian team has enjoyed strong support from Mexicans in Tijuana since they were forced to move training base from Tucson given fears over US visa issues. That has carried over to Los Angeles Stadium – there are a huge number of fans in green Mexico jerseys here, almost all of them chanting support for Iran. In the northern end of the stadium, one group have even unfurled a medium-size banner reading “Te amamos Iran!” (We love you, Iran).
Updated at 20.38 EDT
New Zealand XI
All Whites: 1 Max Crocombe (gk); 13 Liberato Cacace, 16 Finn Surman, 5 Michael Boxall, 2 Tim Payne; 6 Joe Bell, 8 Marko Stamenić; 11 Eli Just, 10 Sarpreet Singh, 20 Callum McCowatt; 9 Chris Wood (c).
Chris Wood will lead the line and the side into their third World Cup campaign. The XI is expected to settle into a more defensive 4-2-3-1 formation and rely on pace up front from Just, Singh and McCowatt. Crocombe is named goalkeeper ahead of Alex Paulsen.
Updated at 20.39 EDT
Iran XI
Team Melli: 1 Alireza Beiranvand (gk); 23 Ramin Rezaeian, 19 Ali Nemati, 4 Shoja Khalilzadeh, 5 Milad Mohammadi, 6 Saeid Ezatolahi, 14 Saman Ghoddos, 17 Aria Yousefi; 9 Mehdi Taremi (c), 8 Mohammad Mohebi, 20 Shahriar Moghanloo.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei pulls no punches with an XI expected to lineup in a 4-4-2. Captain Mehdi Taremi is the focal point up front alongside Shahriar Moghanloo who has parachuted into the team.
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Updated at 20.23 EDT
There have now been five matches without defeat for Asian sides at this World Cup after the draw between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Jonathan Wilson had already pondered even before the game in Miami whether these are early signs that the continent is a rising force in football, with Iran out to add to the evidence when they face New Zealand.
double quotation markAFC teams have in the past perhaps been guilty of lacking belief against Uefa sides, but no longer. Japan celebrated the equaliser as any side that has snatched a draw should, but the disappointment when they fell behind was clear. First and second in this group play second and first in the Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti group. It’s an indication of how far both Morocco and Japan have come that it’s not at all clear that it would be easier to face them than Brazil or the Netherlands.
Saudi Arabia have held on against a flurry of late attacks from Uruguay for a 1-1 draw in the Group H game in Miami. Uruguay pressed hard but just could not find a way through the Saudi Arabia defence.
Abdullah Alkhaibari #15 of Saudi Arabia and Darwin Nunez #9 of Uruguay battle for the ball during the first half of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match Photograph: Eston Parker/ISI Photos/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 21.16 EDT
Check complete: Surely one of the most bizarre stories to emerge from this World Cup so far – Australian video assistant referee Shaun Evans has been cleared by Fifa after after he was accused of making a hand gesture associated with white supremacists. An investigation found no evidence that Evans had breached Fifa’s ethics code and he issued a statement claiming he had been unaware of making the controversial hand sign:
double quotation markThe only explanation I can offer is that the movement was an involuntary, subconscious twitch and I was unaware I had done it at the time.
Matt Hughes’s full story is here:
And there’s a grandstand finish on the cards over in Miami, where Uruguay have just equalised with 10 minutes to go in their Group H game, having laid siege to the Saudi Arabia goal.
Updated at 19.50 EDT
In the other Group G game earlier today, Egypt went close to securing a first World Cup win, but were ultimately thwarted by Romelu Lukaku, who came off the bench in the 66th minute and immediately forced an equaliser. Afterwards, Belgium coach Rudi Garcia neatly summed up the veteran striker’s impact:
double quotation markFrankly, when you are the opponent and you see Romelu Lukaku entering the field, your confidence goes down and your anxiety increases.
Jeff Rueter was in Seattle to watch the game unfold:
Ahmed Fatouh of Egypt battles for the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Belgium and Egypt at Lumen Field.
Photograph: John Carusi/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 21.23 EDT
Team guide: New Zealand
By Maree Mahony
New Zealand, known as the All Whites, are back at the World Cup for just the third time, thanks to winning the Oceania region’s sole qualifying spot. Since their last World Cup in 2010 New Zealand have evolved from part-timers to professionals and there is belief they have the skillset and experience to make the knockout rounds for the first time.
It’s a tall order, though. New Zealand, at No 85 the event’s lowest-ranked qualifiers, are up against Belgium, who are ninth, Egypt, 29th, and Iran, 21st, in Group G. The renowned commentator Paul Ifill says the current squad is “miles better” than the one that went to South Africa, where they finished unbeaten with three draws. After the squad announcement the coach, Darren Bazeley, agreed the side were in a good place: “It’s a blend of exciting young talent and experienced players to maximise our chances of winning games and getting out of our group.”
Fans cheer as New Zealand players warm up before the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood. Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP
…
Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood, the captain, is one of two survivors of the last campaign and much will depend on his fitness. The striker was a contender for top scorer in the Premier League in the 2024-25 season, but a serious knee injury late last year sidelined him for several months.
“New Zealand will need to be able to defend without the ball and then work out how to hurt opponents when we get the ball back. A lot will depend on whether Wood is fully fit,” Ifill says.
Get the full low down on New Zealand …
Updated at 21.15 EDT
Team guide: Iran
By Behnam Jafarzadeh
Iran were one of the first teams to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup and, compared to previous campaigns, they had a relatively smooth path to the tournament. However, preparing the team for the competition has been anything but easy. Iran’s conflicts with the US and Israel threw their involvement at the World Cup into serious doubt – all three of their group games take place in the US – and Amir Ghalenoei, the manager, and his coaching staff have had to work hard to minimise disruption.
Nevertheless, in their two friendlies in March against Nigeria and Costa Rica, Iran showed that they have different plans in mind for the World Cup. In the first match against Nigeria, they lined up in a 3-6-1 formation – a setup Ghalenoei described as the team’s “defensive plan B”, likely designed for the group meeting with Belgium. In the second game against Costa Rica, Ghalenoei used a 4-4-2 formation, indicating that he intends to shift tactics depending on the opponent. The primary system remains 4-2-3-1, which Iran used in most of qualifying.
Nigeria’s Akor Adams, right, fights for the ball with Iran’s Mohammad Ghorbani during a friendly soccer match between Iran and Nigeria in Antalya, southern Turkey Photograph: Riza Ozel/AP
…
Despite the problems and controversies surrounding the national team, who moved their World Cup base camp from the US to Mexico just weeks before the tournament, Ghalenoei still believes his side are capable of achieving something special. “We’ve had many problems recently, but the players tried their best and made sacrifices. They worked so hard [through qualification] and sacrificed a lot, so it is my job to thank them. They can do something epic in the World Cup. They can do it, they have the technical potential to make this a World Cup to remember.”
Find out more about the Iran football team behind the headlines …
Updated at 21.13 EDT
Preamble
Martin Pegan
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the World Cup match between Iran and New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium. This is one of the most highly anticipated games of the group stage even while featuring two sides that have never reached the knockouts at the tournament.
The conflict between Iran and the US-Israel has dominated the buildup to the game – and much of the tournament – with uncertainty over whether the Asian nation would even be permitted to play matches in a country with which it is at war. That’s before getting to the many disruptions that have affected the Iran player’s and team staff’s preparations, including ongoing issues over visas and entry to the US, and being based in Tijuana, Mexico, while all three of their group stage matches are fixtures north of the border.
Iran fans display pre-Iranian Revolution “Lion and Sun” flags inside the stadium before the match. Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters
Turning attention to matters on the pitch, Iran are playing at their seventh World Cup. But they are still to progress past the group stage – only Scotland have been to the global tournament more times and found the first round an insurmountable hurdle. While Iran have that history, as well as modern-day chaos and challenges to overcome, they have strong form behind them after breezing through qualifying with only one defeat in 16 matches, and ramping up their final preparations with three comfortable victories.
New Zealand, on the other hand, have largely flown under the radar and arrive as the lowest-ranked team at No 85. This is just their third appearance at the tournament after making their debut and suffering three defeats in 1982. They returned in 2010 and were the only side to leave South Africa undefeated after holding reigning champions Italy to a 1-1 draw in the group stage and also sharing the points with Slovakia and Paraguay.
But that record leaves New Zealand still searching for a first World Cup triumph. Darren Bazeley’s side won all five qualifying matches – while scoring 29 goals and conceding only once – to take full advantage of the Oceania conference being guaranteed a spot at this year’s tournament. Their form has dipped more in recent times, but with Belgium and Egypt the other sides making up Group G, this looks as good a chance as any for the All Whites to claim a breakthrough victory.
Kick-off is 6pm local or PDT/9pm EDT/2am BST/11am AEST. For those counting down from the lands of the competing nations, kick-off is 4.30am IRST/1pm NZST. I’ll be back shortly with the line-ups and team news. In the meantime, get in touch with any questions, thoughts and predictions. You can shoot me an email, or find me on Bluesky @martinpegan.bsky.social. Let’s get into it!
Updated at 21.12 EDT