2026 World Cup: Iran vs. New Zealand, probable lineups

After months of controversy, fears of a withdrawal, and the visa issue that kept everyone on edge until just hours before the opening ceremony, Iran is ready to face its first match at the 2026 World Cup. Team Melli’s opponent will be New Zealand in the match that closes out the first day of Group G, which also includes Belgium and Egypt. The game kicks off at 3 a.m. Italian time between Monday and Tuesday in Inglewood (in Los Angeles County), with Mexican referee Ramos officiating.

This marks Iran’s seventh overall World Cup appearance and its fourth consecutive one. Team Melli has never advanced past the group stage, coming closest to qualifying in 2018 when, with 4 points, it finished just one point behind the two teams that advanced, Spain and Portugal. For this tournament, issues related to their presence in the United States were circumvented by relocating their training camp to Tijuana, Mexico, entering the U.S. only on match day.

New Zealand is the only national team from the Oceania Confederation among the 48 qualifiers (Australia is part of the Asian Confederation). The team, whose home kit is entirely white—in stark contrast to the famous All Blacks of rugby—is making its third-ever World Cup appearance after the 1982 and 2010 tournaments and is still seeking its first victory following three losses at the the World Cup in Spain and three draws in the South African tournament, including the 1-1 tie with Italy that is still remembered with bitterness in the Bel Paese.

Probable lineups

IRAN (4-3-3): Beiranvand; Yousefi, Khalilzadeh, Nemati, Mohammadi; Ezatolahi, Ghoddos, Mohebi; Ghayedi, Taremi, Hosseinzadeh. Head Coach: Ghalenoei.

NEW ZEALAND (4-2-3-1): Crocombe; Payne, Surman, Boxall, Cacace; Stamenić, Bell; Garbett, Singh, Just, Wood. Head Coach: Bazeley.