Iran Opens World Cup With Draw Against New Zealand

Three groups of the initial group stage are in a four-way tie after one game.

People carry a giant Iranian flag during a protest in reaction to FIFA's ban of Iran's pre-revolutionary flag inside World Cup stadiums in Inglewood, Calif., on June 7, 2026. Benjamin Hanson/AP

Iran began its World Cup pursuits with a hard-fought draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.

The All Whites took an early 1-0 lead within the first seven minutes from the boot of a charging Elijah Just, but the Lions of Iran found a way to equalize before the end of the half. While New Zealand’s defenders failed to clear the ball from deep in the penalty zone, Ramin Rezaeian drove in from the outside and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper.