New Zealand and Iran face off in World Cup opener
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 15, 2026, 3:55 PM
Last updated Jun 15, 2026
New Zealand and Iran meet in their World Cup match at 02:00 (BST) on Tuesday. This encounter marks their first meeting since 2003, when Iran won the AFC-OFC Challenge Cup. Iran comes into the tournament amid political tensions affecting logistics and is seeking its first knockout-stage appearance after its seventh World Cup qualification. New Zealand aims to advance past the group stage for the first time, with captain Chris Wood making a notable return from injury. Both teams will face Egypt and Belgium later in Group G.
- •Match scheduled for 02:00 (BST) on Tuesday.
- •Iran and New Zealand have met twice before, with Iran winning both.
- •Iran aims for its first knockout-stage appearance in World Cup history.
- •New Zealand's captain Chris Wood returns from a knee injury.
- •Both teams also play Egypt and Belgium in Group G.
- 3:55 PMYahoo Sports — PREVIEW: Lowest ranked qualifiers New Zealand face off with Iran
"The two nations have met just twice before this fixture, with their most recent encounter coming in 2003 when Iran defeated New Zealand in the AFC-OFC Challenge Cup, a short-lived biennial tournament ...
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