Iran 2-2 New Zealand: World Cup 2026 – as it happened

Iran and New Zealand play out a highly entertaining 2-2 draw as the first round continues.

We have some more matches to look forward to tomorrow, so make sure to tune in again.

So from me, Rohan Sharma, and on behalf of Ali Harb and Hafsa Adil, it’s goodbye for now.

It ends in a draw. 🟰#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 16, 2026

Here’s all you need to know about the World Cup’s viral goalkeeper.

Our Iran vs New Zealand match report is now live.

The fans have spoken – Ramin Rezaeian is your Superior Player of the Match! ⚽#FIFAWorldCup #SuperiorPOTM pic.twitter.com/upoSqhaEfC

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 16, 2026

The South American and European giants are finding it hard to get past the Asian teams.

A continent on the rise?

5 – Teams from the AFC are unbeaten in their first five matches in this year's FIFA World Cup (W2 D3), with all five matches against teams from either Europe or South America.

Tough. pic.twitter.com/qt6Z6yn7N1

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 16, 2026

Our World Cup coverage continues tomorrow.

First, we have favourites France take on Senegal in a repeat of the 2002 World Cup final opener. The live coverage for that game is set to kick off at 16:00 GMT.

Following that, we have Messi-led Argentina take on Algeria in their tournament opener, with the live coverage commencing at 20:00 GMT.

Arrivés à New-York ! 🗽 pic.twitter.com/Rylj3EIUzG

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 14, 2026

Our men’s all-time FIFA World Cup appearance holder, featuring in 4 games across 2 FIFA World Cups 🏆 pic.twitter.com/hxXFiJXxSU

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 16, 2026

Just the two goals for Just. pic.twitter.com/gzwL0CdyZI

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 16, 2026

An exhilarating day of group-stage matches ends with a rare, almost bizarre statistic of all four games ending in a draw.

Spain were held 0-0 by World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their Group H match in the biggest shock of the tournament yet.

Up next, Romelu Lukaku forced Egypt into an own goal within seconds of entering the game, and favourites Belgium escaped with a 1-1 draw in the opening Group G match at Seattle Stadium.

Maxi Araujo scored a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for Uruguay in their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia, preventing another stunning upset in Group H after Spain’s earlier goalless draw with Cape Verde.

New Zealand and Iran capped off the day 2-2, with a well-fought match that saw Elijah Just become the Kiwis’ all-time goalscorer at the World Cup, in a highly politicised, albeit enjoyable, match.

New Zealand manager Darren Bazeley spoke with the host broadcaster: “I’m extremely proud of the players. [Impressed with] the work rate, and we created loads of chances.

“I thought we were really, really good in possession. [We] defended pretty well for the majority [of the match].

“We’ve come off disappointed to not win a game, because we’re leading twice. [We] scored two great goals, which was really good.

“It’s a little bit bittersweet, because we had a chance to make history tonight and win a game at a World Cup.

“We came really close. We didn’t lose. We kept in it and played really, really well. So proud [of the team].”

Iran 2-2 New Zealand

A very entertaining 2-2 draw is played out between Iran and New Zealand in LA.

Elijah Just put New Zealand ahead on two occasions, but Iran fought back to secure a point. pic.twitter.com/cBnvnZe5P9

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 16, 2026

New Zealand’s Eli Just, who scored a brace, spoke with the host broadcaster after the match:

“It is really special. We had a lot of goals coming into this tournament, and the first was to get on the [score]board.

“Just incredible [to score]. Not something I dreamed of. I am so happy. One was nice, but two was amazing.

“We know we have tough opponents. We watched the Egypt-Belgium game, and we know how tough they are.

“We have been together for a long time. We were unfortunate to miss out on the last World Cup. To start with a point in this one, it couldn’t be better.”

Eli Just becomes our all-time top goal scorer at a FIFA World Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/8RjLAHfxD8

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 16, 2026

Come for the politics, stay for the football.

The headlines around the match may have been about protests, war, and travel bans, but the game ultimately delivered excitement on the pitch.

New Zealand leave with a point against a higher-ranked opponent.

Iran also have nothing to be ashamed of. They came back twice from behind, hit the woodwork, and looked like a unit, despite all the logistical and psychological issues the team has faced.

After all, this is a squad that lived through a war, only to arrive at the World Cup and not be able to have its base camp near its games.

Twice New Zealand led, and twice Iran came back. It was a magnificent back-and-forth game, and undoubtedly one of the best of the tournament so far.

New Zealand continue their search for their first World Cup win, while Iran have shown they are simply not here to make up the numbers.

It is also the fourth World Cup match today to end in a tie.

Full-time: Iran 2-2 New Zealand 

The points are shared at full-time pic.twitter.com/1Z1i9uy2LJ

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 16, 2026

The final whistle is blown soon after entering the sixth minute.

Full-time: Iran 2-2 New Zealand 

The ball is flighted in from the left side, with an Iranian head getting to the ball by the far post.

He heads back across the face of goal, but Thomas is able to execute a backward header to prevent any further touches from the Iranian players.

90+4 mins: Iran 2-2 New Zealand 

Second Half ends, IR Iran 2, New Zealand 2.