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Iran vs New Zealand; FIFA World Cup Group G

Full Time After Extra Time This is a live match. Extra Time Half Time

Iran vs New Zealand. FIFA World Cup Group G.

SoFi StadiumAttendance70,108.

Iran 2

  • R Rezaeian (32nd minute)
  • M Mohebbi (64th minute)

New Zealand 2

  • E Just (7th minute, 54th minute)

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World Cup 2026: Iran 2-2 New Zealand - Mohammad Mohebbi's header rescues draw after Motherwell forward Elijah Just's double

Match report as Iran came back twice from a goal down to rescue a draw against New Zealand; Goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi cancelled out Motherwell forward Elijah Just's double; All four teams in Group G on one point after opening games

Tuesday 16 June 2026 07:02, UK

Iran
Image: Iran drew their World Cup opener with New Zealand

Iran put their turbulent build-up to the World Cup behind them as they came from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in what was arguably the game of the tournament so far.

A World Cup had never kicked off with a host at war with a participant before.

Iran have faced the threat of being unable to take their place at the tournament ever since the United States and Israel launched a bombing campaign in February, been forced to change training venue from the US to Mexico to combat visa issues, and still had 11 non-playing officials blocked from entering the US for the team's matches.

'Lion and Sun' flags - the emblem of Iran before the 1979 Islamic revolution - were in evidence within the stadium despite FIFA's efforts to ban them and there was definitely booing of the anthem before the game from Los Angeles' Iranian diaspora in attendance.

However, overwhelmingly, the fans had decided the team were not the regime, and roared them on from the outset.

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Geraint Hughes reports on Iran's arrival in the United States, where 11 of their delegation where refused entry, adding that anti-regime flags are expected in the Los Angeles Stadium for their game against New Zealand.

After a bright start from Iran, New Zealand took the lead in the seventh minute after Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood held the ball up well and combined with Motherwell forward Elijah Just, who steered a volley past goalkeeper Alireza Behranvand.

Iran responded well as Ramin Rezaeian found an equaliser but Just grabbed his second of the game 10 minutes into the second half, combining with Wood again before rounding off a flowing team move to put New Zealand on course for a first World Cup win.

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However, Iran hit back again. Rezaeian swung in a cross from the right and Mohammad Mohebbi guided a header in off the post to secure a draw that leaves all four teams in Group G on one point following Belgium's 1-1 draw with Egypt.

The key moments from Los Angeles...

New Zealand's Elijah Just scores the opening goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match against Iran
Image: New Zealand's Elijah Just scores the opening goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match against Iran

  • Protestors gathered outside Sofi Stadium, calling for change in Tehran ahead of Iran's first game at the World Cup.

  • Iran's anthem was jeered by some sections of the crowd in LA.

  • 7: GOAL! Just's strike gave New Zealand lead against the run of play.

  • 32: GOAL! Rezaeian brought Iran level as the first hydration break broke New Zealand's momentum.

  • 54: GOAL!: Just combined with Wood for a second time to give New Zealand the lead again.

  • 64: GOAL! Mohebbi headed Iran level again to deny New Zealand a first World Cup win in topsy-turvy contest.

Iran national anthem booed by sections of Los Angeles crowd

Iran's anthem was jeered by some sections of the crowd at SoFi Stadium.

While a peace deal may have finally been agreed on Sunday, the build-up to the game only served to highlight the complexities and polarised views around the team's participation.

Protestors gathered outside the stadium in LA before kick off, calling for change in Tehran. 

Meanwhile, inside the stadium, the anthem was greeted by audible boos but minutes earlier, there had been loud cheers when images of the team in the tunnel appeared on the giant screens above the pitch, and the team also had strong vocal backing once the match kicked off.

The Iranian community in Los Angeles is primarily comprised of those who fled the country around the time of the 1979 Islamic revolution, or the children of those who did, and as such anti-regime sentiment is strong here.

FIFA had won a case to ban flags with the pre-revolution 'Lion and Sun' emblem on from being brought to the stadium earlier on Monday, but plenty were in evidence within the venue in the lead-up to kick-off.

Protesters had promised "hell" in the build-up to the match and while some aggressive anti-regime slogans were chanted around the stadium, describing the leaders in Tehran as "terrorists", many attending the match were keen to separate the team from the state they represent.

Analysis: Motherwell's Just stars but Wood crucial for New Zealand

Sky Sports' Oliver Yew:

Motherwell's Just will take all the headlines after his stunning double but there's no doubt Nottingham Forest striker Wood is key to any hope New Zealand might have of progressing out of Group G.

Wood was a physical threat from the word go and Iran couldn't cope.

IR Iran' Shoja Khalilzadeh (4) and New Zealand' Chris Wood (9) vie for the ball during the FIFA World Cup Group G soccer match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, June 15, 2026. (Ringo Chiu via AP)
Image: Wood caused Iran's defence plenty of problems with his physical presence

The 34-year-old won nearly every ball played up to him and his hold-up play was exceptional as he grabbed assists for both of Just's goals.

With tougher assignments to come against Belgium and Egypt, the draw in LA may give both sides a feeling of what might have been if their bids to reach the knockout stages fail, but for New Zealand, focal point Wood has to keep delivering on the big stage.

Eli Just (2) is the first player to score more than once for New Zealand in a World Cup match, while Chris Wood (2) is also the first player to provide multiple assists in a World Cup match for New Zealand.

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What the result means...

'New Zealand hurting after missing out on history'

New Zealand head coach Darren Bazeley said his side are going to be hurting after missing out on the chance to create history with their first win at a World Cup finals.

"I am extremely proud of the players and performance," he said. "We were really good in possession and created a lot.

"We've come off disappointed not to win. We scored two really good goals and it's going to hurt because we had a chance to make history."

"I am so proud though."

Goalscorer Just added: "It's really special. We had a lot of goals coming in and the first was to get on the board, so one point is OK and there are a lot of positives to build on.

"Scoring once is something that I couldn't have dreamed of and two [goals] is just amazing."

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