Iran vs New Zealand: World Cup team news, start, lineups and where to watch
After uncertainty over their participation and a disrupted build-up, Iran are set to begin their World Cup campaign.
Who: Iran vs New ZealandWhat: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G matchWhere: Los Angeles Stadium, California, USWhen: Monday, 6pm local time (01:00 GMT on Tuesday)How to follow: Keep up with all updates on Al Jazeera SportIran will finally take to the field for their World Cup opener on Monday after months of uncertainty surrounding their participation in the tournament and following the United States-Israeli attacks on their country that began in late February.They will face New Zealand against the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East and in a region, California, that is home to the largest Iranian diaspora community outside the country, adding a charged atmosphere to a contest between two nations that have never met at the World Cup.The All Whites are back on the biggest stage in international football for the first time since 2010 and are seeking their first-ever win at a World Cup.
Iran moved their training base from Arizona in the United States to Tijuana in Mexico [Victor Medina/Reuters]Iran’s disrupted build-upIran is playing at the World Cup whilst the country is at war with a host nation, a situation that is unique in the tournament’s 96-year history.The team’s World Cup preparations have been thrown into chaos with all of their matches scheduled to be played in the US.Iran’s participation had appeared uncertain in the build-up to the tournament because of the war.
They also moved their base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, leaving them to travel internationally back to the US for each of their three group-stage matches.Reports of progress in negotiations aimed at ending the war have done little to ease tensions around the team, with Iranian soccer officials criticising FIFA after 11 members of Iran’s football federation were denied visas to travel for the tournament.The Iran squad must also arrive in the US on the day of their matches and depart the country within 24 hours, according to widespread reporting on the team’s movements.
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