Live: All Whites vs Iran - Football World Cup 2026

Follow all the Football World Cup action as the New Zealand All Whites take on Iran in their Group G opening match at Los Angeles Stadium.

All Whites captain Chris Wood says the outside noise fades away once footballers cross the white line.

With so much attention on New Zealand's opening game of the Football World Cup against Iran, Wood and coach Darren Bazeley have put on a united front that the team's only focus is football.

While Iran's striker Mehdi Taremi said: "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and we respect them, but we are here to bring joy to the Iranian people. We do not get involved in politics. We are here to play football."

Wood and Bazeley also would not be drawn on the politics or the perceived advantage the All Whites had by having players playing club football up until late last month while Iran's domestic competition had been on hold since February.

New Zealand's leading goalscorer could see "pros and cons" in both the All Whites' and Iran's build up to the World Cup.

"I think it can help them in a certain way that they've had time off. They've been able to prepare longer for the competition," Wood said.

"Us as players we've been able to play all the way through to May, which will help us, but we've only had three weeks together to get that team cohesion."

The All Whites are the underdogs for their first game of the tournament, as they will be for any game they play over the coming weeks, and are not likely to be fan favourites on Tuesday.

"Once the game starts, sometimes the crowd disappears and you get playing," Bazeley said.

"And that's the place we need to get to where we're playing our game.

• 'Here to play football': Read Felicity Reid's full report

Kiwis at the World Cup

New Zealand still have not won a game at a World Cup and their task is no easier this time, against opponents at least 50 spots ahead of them on world rankings.

In fact, at 85th, the All Whites are the lowest ranked team at the event.

Nine other teams are chasing their first World Cup wins - Canada, Egypt, Haiti, Iraq and Qatar, along with debutants Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.

Who is in the All Whites team?

Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud

Defence: Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Libby Cacace, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot, Tim Payne, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Finn Surman

Midfield: Lachie Bayliss, Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Elijah Just, Callum McCowatt, Ben Old, Alex Rufer, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenic, Ryan Thomas

Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Jesse Randall, Ben Waine, Chris Wood

Coach: Darren Bazeley