World Cup 2026: Iran draw 2-2 with New Zealand in politically charged World Cup clash in LA

Iran fought back twice to earn a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match on Monday, with goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi cancelling out Elijah Just's brace in an entertaining Group G encounter.

In Short

• Iran came back twice after New Zealand took early leads in Group G
• Iran will return to Los Angeles to face Belgium in next group match
• New Zealand will travel to Vancouver to take on Egypt

Iran twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their opening Group G match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday, in a match played against a backdrop of political tensions and anti-government protests by Iranian Americans.

The game took place less than 24 hours after a preliminary peace deal was announced between the United States and Iran, ending months of conflict that began when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February.

New Zealand made a bright start and took the lead in the seventh minute. Chris Wood turned provider, setting up Elijah Just, who volleyed past Alireza Beiranvand from inside the penalty area.

Iran vs New Zealand, FIFA World Cup: HIGHLIGHTS

Iran responded well and levelled in the 32nd minute through Ramin Rezaeian. The defender reacted quickest inside the six-yard box and poked the ball home from close range, sending the largely Iran-supporting crowd into celebration.

The Kiwis regained the lead in the 54th minute through Just, who scored his second goal of the match. Wood was again the creator, and the Motherwell winger calmly lifted the ball over Beiranvand to restore New Zealand's advantage.

However, Iran hit back for a second time 10 minutes later. Mohammad Mohebbi met a cross at the back post and glanced a header into the net to make it 2-2.

Both teams continued to attack in search of a winner, but neither side could find a decisive goal as the match ended level.

The result leaves Group G finely balanced after Belgium and Egypt also played out a 1-1 draw earlier on Monday.

Iran will return to Los Angeles to face Belgium in their next group match on Sunday, while New Zealand will travel to Vancouver to take on Egypt.

The Iranian squad arrived in the United States on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, ahead of the match.

In Los Angeles, home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran, many Iranian American soccer fans said they were torn between excitement at seeing the national team compete on the world's biggest stage, anger at Tehran's crackdown on protesters and concern over Washington's military campaign against Iran.

Though most Iran supporters inside the stadium passionately backed their team, many signalled opposition to the government in Tehran by displaying the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag, a symbol widely used by opponents of the Islamic Republic.

Some went further, cheering for New Zealand or booing their own team, which some Iranian Americans view as a proxy for the government.

Outside the stadium, between 300 and 500 protesters gathered carrying anti-government banners and Iranian flags. Several said they had chosen not to attend the match because they did not want to be seen as supporting the authorities in Tehran while also protesting against the country's treatment of pro-democracy demonstrators.

Inside the stadium, sections of the crowd booed the Iranian national anthem before kick-off.

Iran had threatened to halt matches if unofficial flags were brought into stadiums or political slogans were chanted.

However, numerous spectators carrying lion-and-sun flags or wearing clothing bearing the symbol passed through security without issue, and the match proceeded as planned.

When asked previously about the matter, world soccer's governing body FIFA pointed to regulations prohibiting flags or apparel of a political nature. It has not commented specifically on the status of the Iranian pre-revolutionary flag and did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was present at the match.

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