Iran had its debut on the 2026 World Cup this Monday (15), at the SoFi Stadium, in Los Angeles.
The team faced New Zealand, in a busy match marked by chances for both sides, which ended 2-2.
New Zealander Elijah Just, an attacking midfielder who plays for the Scottish club Motherwell, was the New Zealand standout.
Scorer of two goals in the match, he joins the ranking of best scorers in this World Cup, alongside Kai Havertz (Germany), Folarin Balogun (United States) and Yasin Ayari (Sweden).
The game
Worst placed in the FIFA rankings (85th place), New Zealand took the lead after 7 minutes.
Striker Chris Wood, number 9, received the ball in his chest, pivoted and found Elijah Just, who dominated and opened the scoring. New Zealand’s pressure increased even before the hydration break, midway through the first half.
The best opportunity to expand came at 13min. After a corner kick, Wood appeared well positioned in the area, but was unable to convert.
Considered favorites before the match, Iran gained space in a quick counterattack and hit the post in the 22nd minute. The Iranian team continued to apply pressure and had dangerous arrivals.
The equalizer for the team led by Amir Ghalenoei came at 32 minutes. After Shahriar Moghanlou’s shot was blocked in the area, the ball fell to Ramin Rezaeian, who took advantage of the rebound and scored.
Iran continued to press in stoppage time. A header went over goalkeeper Max Crocombe. Soon after, he tried to turn it around, when Nemati headed the ball. The goal was disallowed for offside.
In the second half, another New Zealand goal came in the 7th minute. Just advanced, squared with Wood and shot across the ball, with no chance for the goalkeeper. The Oceania team continued to threaten with attempts from Wood.
Iran managed to equalize in the 18th minute, with a goal from Mohammad Mohebi, who headed in front of the penalty spot.
Group G
In the next round, the Iranian team will face Belgium again at the SoFi Stadium, in Los Angeles, on Sunday (21), at 4pm. On the same day, at 10pm, New Zealand plays against Egypt at BC Place, in Vancouver.
Iran x United States
The Iranian team’s participation in the competition takes place amid tensions in the Middle East, following an escalation of the conflict involving Israel and the United States. Before the start of the game, protests from the Iranian community, which opposes the Tehran regime, gathered around the stadium.
The protesters intended to display the country’s old flag — the lion with the sword that existed before the Islamic Revolution that put the current regime in power in 1979 — during the World Cup debut. FIFA, however, prohibits the raising of political flags.
Opponents criticized the selection, considered a government propaganda instrument, which combines theocracy and authoritarianism.
The third team to qualify for this World Cup, Iran has one of the most complex participations in this World Cup. The team, which is part of Group G, has all its first phase games played in the United States. The team did not progress beyond the group stages in previous editions of the tournament.
As part of the measures adopted by the United States, Iranian players only received approval for their visas on Friday (5).
Managers and members of the technical committee, including Mehdi Taj, who served in the Revolutionary Guards and is president of the Iranian Football Federation, had their requests denied.
The Iranian team would be based in Tucson, in the state of Arizona, but ended up moving its training center from the United States to Tijuana, Mexico.
On Sunday (14), the United States and Iran announced an agreement to end the war that began in February, which could bring about the resumption of maritime trade in the Persian Gulf and reduce tensions in the Middle East.
The pact should be signed this Friday (19), in Switzerland, according to Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan who acted as mediator.
Iran and the USA faced each other in the 1998 World Cup in France. On that occasion, Iran beat the USA 2-0. The teams also competed in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. There, the United States advanced to the knockout stage after a 1-0 victory.
The teams can face each other again in this World Cup, in the first knockout round. The match takes place if the teams come second in their respective groups.
