Iran overcame both political and footballing hurdles to snatch a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match.
Despite being forced to travel from Mexico to play in the USA, the Iranians let their boots do the talking. They twice were battled back to gain a draw before making their return flight back to Mexico, where they are forced to be based throughout their ongoing campaign.
Striker Elijah Just scored both New Zealand goals but the Oceania side were denied their first FIFA World Cup win by strikes from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi.
Iran got off to a fast start but were stunned by an early New Zealand goal on the counter created by veteran striker Chris Wood.
Collecting a long pass in the seventh minute, the Nottingham Forest target man expertly held up the ball, turned and played in the onrushing Just.
After a sharp exchange of passes with Sarpreet Singh and Wood, Just leapt and smashed a volley into the net.
Iran’s star forward Mehdi Taremi nearly levelled in the 23rd minute, the former Inter Milan man’s long-range effort ricocheting off the right post.
New Zealand retook the lead in the 55th minute. Motherwell striker Just bagged a brace via a crisp one-two with Wood, after Liberato Cacace had stolen the ball on the halfway line.
But they were again pegged back nine minutes later, as Mohebi’s leaping header from Rezaeian’s superb cross glanced off the inside post.
The game’s final half hour saw Iran on the front foot, but unable to grab a winner due to a combination of wayward finishing and dogged New Zealand defending.
