Iran vs New Zealand — World Cup 2026

FILE No. M-926CLASS: GROUP MATCHSTATUS: GROUP STAGEWC 2026 · LOS ANGELES

Iran

2–2

New Zealand

Match events

R. Rezaeian32'1–1
A. YousefiOn: M. Ghaedi46'
S. MoghanlouOn: A. Alipour53'
M. Mohebiassist R. Rezaeian64'2–2
S. GhoddosOn: E. Hajsafi65'
M. TaremiOn: A. Hosseinzadeh80'
E. Hajsafi89'

0–17'E. Justassist C. Wood
1–254'E. Justassist C. Wood
68'L. CacaceOn: B. Old
68'C. McCowattOn: R. Thomas
78'T. PayneOn: C. Elliot
90+2'S. SinghOn: J. Randall
90+2'M. StamenicOn: T. Bindon

IRNMatch statsNZL

48%Possession52%

17Shots14

4Shots on Target8

4Corners1

10Fouls8

1Yellow Cards0

—

Iran — starting XI

4-4-2

Bench

10Mehdi Ghayedi
11Ali Alipour
3Ehsan Hajsafi
18Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh
12Payam Niazmand
22Hossein Hosseini
2Saleh Hardani
13Hossein Kanaani
15Roozbeh Cheshmi
25Danial Eiri
26Amirmohammad Razzaghinia
21Mohammad Ghorbani
16Mahdi Torabi
7Alireza Jahanbakhsh
24Dennis Eckert Ayensa

New Zealand — starting XI

4-2-3-1

Bench

19Benjamin Old
23Ryan Thomas
24Callan Elliot
4Tyler Bindon
21Jesse Randall
12Alex Paulsen
22Michael Woud
26Tommy Smith
3Francis De Vries
15Nando Pijnaker
25Lachlan Bayliss
14Alex Rufer
18Ben Waine
17Kosta Barbarouses

All-time meetings

Iran wins

Draws

New Zealand wins

02 · Tale of the Tape

Tale of the tape.

30.8

Average Age

28.1

03 · The Form Guide

Last five walks into the room.

Who's hotter going in? Latest competitive results, newest first.

Iran

Jun 16

vs New Zealand

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · SoFi Stadium

2–2

Jun 4

vs Mali

Friendlies · Friendly International · Antalya Training Camp

2–0

May 29

vs Gambia

Friendlies · Friendly International · Mardan Sports Complex

3–1

Mar 31

at Costa Rica

Friendlies · Friendly International · Corendon Airlines Park

5–0

New Zealand

Jun 16

at Iran

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · SoFi Stadium

2–2

Jun 6

at England

Friendlies · Friendly International · Raymond James Stadium

0–1

Jun 3

at Haiti

Friendlies · Friendly International · Chase Stadium

0–4

Mar 30

vs Chile

FIFA Series · Group Stage · Eden Park

4–1

Mar 27

vs Finland

FIFA Series · Group Stage · Eden Park

0–2

05 · Key Battles

Three duels that decide it.

// Right-back vs Winger · Experience vs Hunger

E. Hajisafi

#3 · AEK Athens FC

K. Barbarouses

#17 · Western Sydney Wanderers

Hajisafi's veteran composure and reading of the game will be tested by Barbarouses' direct running and intensity. The Iranian full-back's positioning and distribution remain superior, but alertness to quick transitions will be critical—one lapse could prove costly against New Zealand's press.

// Centre-back vs Striker · Physicality and Timing

Old's movement off the ball and instinct in the box will trouble Khalilzadeh if Iran's midfield can't control possession. Khalilzadeh's strength in the air is a genuine advantage, but Old's link-up play and spatial awareness demand constant communication from the backline.

// Midfield Orchestrator · Tempo and Control

S. Ghoddos

#14 · Al-Ittihad Kalba

M. Stamenić

#8 · Olympiakos Piraeus

Ghoddos' technical range and vision from midfield form the spine of Iran's attack, while Stamenić will chase possession with aggression. The battle for midfield dominance is the fixture's pivot point—Ghoddos' composure under pressure could unlock Iran's forwards, or Stamenić's harrying will suffocate their rhythm.

06 · Style Clash

Possession vs Intensity: Iran and New Zealand's Tactical Divide

Iran's methodical control meets New Zealand's aggressive compactness. One team seeks rhythm through patient buildup; the other thrives on chaos and counter-press.

// Structured Possession

Iran

// Compact Intensity

New Zealand

methodical

Build-up Play

disruptive

selective

Pressing Trigger

relentless

organized

Transition Defense