Iran - New Zealand: score, highlights and statistics

Iran and New Zealand meet in their Group G opener at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with both sides knowing that a strong start could prove decisive in their battle to advance past the group stage.

Match Info: Iran vs New Zealand

The match takes place on Tuesday, 16 June 2026 at 2:00 AM BST at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area, as part of Group G at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Where to Watch Iran vs New Zealand?

Viewers in the United States have the most extensive coverage options: on television via Fox Sports 1 and Telemundo, and online through FOX One, Foxsports.com, Fubo TV, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, and Spanish-language radio via Futbol de Primera Radio.

In Canada, TSN+ carries the match online, while Australian fans can stream it on SBS On Demand. New Zealand supporters can watch at home on TVNZ (television) or stream via TVNZ+.

Elsewhere in the world, the game is available in Argentina on DIRECTV Sports Argentina (TV) and DIRECTV GO (online), in France via beIN SPORTS CONNECT F.R., in Spain on DAZN España, in Italy on DAZN Italia, in Mexico via VIX, and in Brazil on CazéTV. Polish viewers can catch the match on TVP 1 and TVP Sport on television, or online via sport.tvp.pl and the TVP Sport App.

Iran vs New Zealand - Match Preview

Iran enter this match as clear favourites, ranked 20th in the world by FIFA, while New Zealand sit 86th - a 66-place gap that reflects the difference in depth and experience between the two squads.

Group G brings Iran face to face with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. For head coach Amir Ghalenoei's side, this opener against the lowest-ranked team in the group represents an opportunity to secure an early foothold in a campaign where points against stronger opponents will be harder to come by. Iran have appeared at 6 FIFA World Cups - in 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, and 2022 - without ever advancing past the group stage, and 2026 presents their seventh opportunity to break that sequence.

New Zealand return to the World Cup for only the third time in their history, having previously competed in 1982 and 2010. Neither of those appearances produced a passage past the group stage, and with Belgium in the group, progression remains a steep challenge. Against Iran, however, the All Whites have a genuine chance to fight for points.

Head-to-Head: Iran vs New Zealand

Despite being football nations from different confederations, Iran and New Zealand have crossed paths 3 times in history - and Iran have never lost a single meeting, recording 2 wins and 1 draw, with 5 goals scored and just 1 conceded across all encounters.

The full head-to-head record between these two teams:

• 1973 - International Friendly (Auckland) - New Zealand 0:0 Iran
• 1978 - International Friendly - Iran 2:1 New Zealand
• 12 October 2003 - AFC-OFC Challenge Cup (Tehran) - Iran 3:0 New Zealand

Iran - Recent Form

Iran arrive at the 2026 World Cup in solid form, winning 3 and drawing 2 of their last 5 matches with 9 goals scored and only 3 conceded - an unbeaten run that underlines their readiness for the tournament.

The most emphatic result of that period came on 31 March 2026, when Iran dismantled Costa Rica 5:0 away from home. Before that, a 1:2 defeat to Nigeria on 27 March was their only stumble, preceded by back-to-back goalless draws against Uzbekistan (away) and Cape Verde Islands (at home) in November 2025. A 3:1 win over Gambia on 29 May 2026 served as a confidence-boosting final dress rehearsal before the tournament.

Notably absent from the squad is Sardar Azmoun - 57 goals in 91 international appearances - who was omitted for non-sporting reasons. In his absence, 33-year-old Mehdi Taremi of Olympiacos leads the attack at his third World Cup, supported by winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

New Zealand - Recent Form

New Zealand head into their first match of the 2026 World Cup under pressure, winning just 1 of their last 5 fixtures while conceding 11 goals and scoring only 5 - a run that highlights their defensive vulnerabilities heading into the group stage.

A 4:1 victory over Chile on 30 March 2026 was the standout moment in an otherwise difficult spell. Just three days prior, Finland beat the All Whites 2:0 on New Zealand soil. The most alarming signal came in their final warm-up game on 3 June 2026, when Haiti - not regarded as a heavyweight - routed New Zealand 4:0.

Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest leads the attacking line, though an injury-disrupted Premier League season leaves his sharpness as a question mark heading into the tournament. Matthew Garbett, Sarpreet Singh, and Ben Waine are expected to provide support in midfield and attack.

Facts and Statistics

5 key facts ahead of Iran vs New Zealand at the 2026 World Cup:

• Iran have never advanced past the group stage in 6 previous FIFA World Cup appearances - 2026 is the seventh attempt.
• Across all 3 historical meetings, Iran are unbeaten against New Zealand: 2 wins and 1 draw, with 5 goals scored and 1 conceded.
• New Zealand appear at the World Cup for only the 3rd time in their history (1982, 2010, 2026), having exited in the group stage on both previous occasions.
• Iran scored 9 goals in 5 pre-tournament matches - the highest attacking output of either side in the build-up period.
• The FIFA ranking gap between Iran (20th) and New Zealand (86th) stands at 66 places - one of the larger disparities in Group G.