{"id":477939,"date":"2026-06-15T05:54:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T05:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/477939\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T05:54:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T05:54:20","slug":"new-zealands-opponents-iran-10-things-you-might-want-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/477939\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand’s opponents Iran: 10 things you might want to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Chris Hood<\/p>\n

New Zealand open their 2026 FIFA Men\u2019s World Cup campaign against Iran in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Known as Team Melli \u2014 meaning National Team in Persian \u2014 Iran are one of Asia\u2019s most consistent football nations and will be appearing at their seventh World Cup finals.<\/p>\n

Here are 10 things you might want to know about them \u2026<\/p>\n

1. There is already history with the All Whites<\/p>\n

New Zealand and Iran have met officially twice before.<\/p>\n

The first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw in Auckland on August 12, 1973.<\/p>\n

Iran won the second meeting 3-0 in Tehran in October 2003 in the AFC\u2013OFC Challenge.<\/p>\n

There have also been unofficial meetings involving Canterbury and a New Zealand representative side in the 1970s.<\/p>\n

\"\"The Iran squad trains ahead of their World Cup opener against New Zealand.
\n2. Los Angeles could feel like a home game<\/p>\n

The opening World Cup match will be played in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Greater Los Angeles is home to one of the world\u2019s largest Iranian communities outside Iran, with an estimated population of more than 200,000 Iranian Americans.<\/p>\n

3. World Cup regulars still chasing history<\/p>\n

Iran will play at their seventh FIFA World Cup and their fourth in succession.<\/p>\n

Their best achievement remains reaching the group stage, with Team Melli still seeking a first appearance in the knockout rounds.<\/p>\n

Iran missed qualification only once in recent decades, failing to reach the 1994 tournament.<\/p>\n

4. Qualification built on consistency<\/p>\n

Iran topped the final round of Asian qualifying ahead of Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n

One unusual feature of the campaign was that they recorded four draws against Uzbekistan across qualification.<\/p>\n

Iran generally played in a 4-2-3-1 formation but adjusted shape depending on opposition.<\/p>\n

5. Asia\u2019s long-time contenders<\/p>\n

Iran have been among Asia\u2019s strongest football nations for decades.<\/p>\n

They won three straight Asian Cup titles in 1968, 1972 and 1976 and remain one of only a few countries to achieve three consecutive continental championships.<\/p>\n

Despite regularly challenging at the top level, they have not lifted the Asian Cup since 1976.<\/p>\n

\"\"Star player Mehdi Taremi.
\n6. Goals remain centred around Mehdi Taremi<\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s biggest attacking threat remains striker Mehdi Taremi.<\/p>\n

The Olympiacos forward has scored more than 60 international goals and previously played club football for Inter Milan and Porto.<\/p>\n

Iran will be without regular strike partner Sardar Azmoun, who was omitted from the World Cup squad.<\/p>\n

7. Experience throughout the squad<\/p>\n

Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand famously saved a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty at the 2018 World Cup.<\/p>\n

Defender Ehsan Hajsafi has more than 140 caps and has appeared at three World Cups.<\/p>\n

Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi has played club football in England, Denmark and the Middle East.<\/p>\n

8. English Premier League links<\/p>\n

Five Iranian internationals have played in the English Premier League.<\/p>\n

They are Karim Bagheri (Charlton Athletic), Andranik Teymourian (Bolton, Fulham), Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Brighton) and Saman Ghoddos (Brentford).<\/p>\n

Bagheri\u2019s international record stands out \u2014 the defensive midfielder scored 50 goals in 87 matches for Iran.<\/p>\n

9. Great names from the past<\/p>\n

Iran have produced some of Asia\u2019s most celebrated footballers.<\/p>\n

Ali Daei scored 108 goals in 148 internationals and for many years held the world record for international goals.<\/p>\n

Other greats include Ali Karimi, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Ali Parvin and Javad Nekounam, Iran\u2019s record appearance holder.<\/p>\n

Many New Zealand fans may also remember Khodadad Azizi, whose goal against Australia in 1997 helped send Iran to the World Cup.<\/p>\n

10. In the dugout<\/p>\n

Amir Ghalenoei leads Iran into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n

The 62-year-old is only the third Iranian coach to take charge of the national team at a World Cup.<\/p>\n

Before him, Jalal Talebi coached Iran in 1998 and Heshmat Mohajerani led the team at the 1978 finals.<\/p>\n

Portugal\u2019s Carlos Queiroz, well known for his time with Manchester United and multiple spells with Iran, coached Team Melli at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups.<\/p>\n

New Zealand<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Shirt number\/player\/caps\/goals\/club<\/p>\n

Goalkeepers<\/p>\n

1. Max Crocombe (24\/0) Millwall, England
12. Alex Paulsen (6\/0) Lechia Gda\u0144sk, Poland, on loan from Bournemouth, England
22. Michael Woud (6\/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand<\/p>\n

Defenders<\/p>\n

4. Tyler Bindon (25\/1) Nottingham Forest, England
5. Michael Boxall (63\/1) Minnesota United, United States
13. Liberato Cacace (37\/1) Wrexham AFC, Wales
3. Francis de Vries (19\/1) Auckland FC, New Zealand
24. Callan Elliot (11\/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand
2. Tim Payne (52\/3) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
15. Nando Pijnaker (25\/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand
26. Tommy Smith (56\/2) Braintree Town, England
16. Finn Surman (19\/2) Portland Timbers, United States<\/p>\n

Midfielders<\/p>\n

25. Lachlan Bayliss (4\/0) Newcastle Jets, Australia
6. Joe Bell (32\/1) Viking FK, Norway
7. Matt Garbett (38\/5) Peterborough United, England
19. Ben Old (23\/2) Saint-\u00c9tienne, France
14. Alex Rufer (26\/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
10. Sarpreet Singh (28\/3) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
8. Marko Stameni\u0107 (39\/3) Swansea City, Wales
23. Ryan Thomas (25\/3) PEC Zwolle, The Netherlands<\/p>\n

Forwards<\/p>\n

17. Kosta Barbarouses (76\/10) Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia
11. Eli Just (44\/9) Motherwell FC, Scotland
20. Callum McCowatt (32\/4) Silkeborg, Denmark
21. Jesse Randall (11\/2) Auckland FC, New Zealand
18. Ben Waine (31\/9) Port Vale, England
9. Chris Wood (captain) (90\/45) Nottingham Forest, England<\/p>\n

Head coach
Darren Bazeley<\/p>\n

Iran<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Goalkeepers<\/p>\n

Alireza Beiranvand \u2014 Tractor (Iran)
Hossein Hosseini \u2014 Sepahan (Iran)
Payam Niazmand \u2014 Persepolis (Iran)<\/p>\n

Defenders<\/p>\n

Danial Eiri \u2014 Malavan (Iran)
Ehsan Hajsafi \u2014 Sepahan (Iran)
Hossein Kanaani \u2014 Persepolis (Iran)
Shoja Khalilzadeh \u2014 Tractor (Iran)
Milad Mohammadi \u2014 Persepolis (Iran)
Ali Nemati \u2014 Foolad (Iran)
Ramin Rezaeian \u2014 Foolad (Iran)
Saleh Hardani \u2014 Esteghlal (Iran)<\/p>\n

Midfielders<\/p>\n

Rouzbeh Cheshmi \u2014 Esteghlal (Iran)
Saeid Ezatolahi \u2014 Shabab Al Ahli (United Arab Emirates)
Mehdi Ghaedi \u2014 Kalba (United Arab Emirates)
Saman Ghoddos \u2014 Kalba (United Arab Emirates)
Mohammad Ghorbani \u2014 Al Wahda (United Arab Emirates)
Alireza Jahanbakhsh \u2014 Heerenveen (Netherlands)
Mohammad Mohebi \u2014 Rostov (Russia)
Amir Mohammad Razzaghinia \u2014 Esteghlal (Iran)
Mehdi Torabi \u2014 Tractor (Iran)
Aria Yousefi \u2014 Sepahan (Iran)<\/p>\n

Forwards<\/p>\n

Ali Alipour \u2014 Persepolis (Iran)
Dennis Dargahi \u2014 Standard Li\u00e8ge (Belgium)
Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh \u2014 Tractor (Iran)
Shahriar Moghanlou \u2014 Ittihad Kalba (United Arab Emirates)
Mehdi Taremi \u2014 Olympiacos (Greece)<\/p>\n

Head coach
Amir Ghalenoei<\/p>\n

Fixtures \u2013 FIFA Men\u2019s World Cup<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Game to be played on Tuesday June 16, 2026 (NZT)<\/p>\n

Iran v New Zealand
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles, 1pm (NZT)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Game to be played on Monday June 22, 2026 (NZT)<\/p>\n

Egypt v New Zealand
BC Place, Vancouver, 1pm (NZT)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Game to be played on Saturday June 27, 2026 (NZT)<\/p>\n

Belgium v New Zealand
BC Place, Vancouver, 3pm (NZT)<\/p>\n

Chris Hood<\/p>\n

Chris Hood is a Blenheim-based long-time follower of football.<\/p>\n

This story was published on June 14, 2026<\/p>\n

More football stories<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Chris Hood New Zealand open their 2026 FIFA Men\u2019s World Cup campaign against Iran in Los Angeles.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":477940,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[213543,2965,111,43,139,69],"class_list":["post-477939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-zealand","tag-2026-fifa-mens-world-cup","tag-all-whites","tag-new-zealand","tag-news","tag-newzealand","tag-nz"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477939","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=477939"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/477939\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/477940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=477939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=477939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=477939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}