Iran 2-2 New Zealand: Team Melli Fight Back Twice in Thrilling World Cup Opener

Los Angeles, June 15, 2026 — Iran and New Zealand kicked off their World Cup Group G campaigns with an entertaining 2-2 draw at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, in front of a crowd of 70,108. In a match that ebbed and flowed from start to finish, Iran twice came from behind to salvage a point against the tournament's lowest-ranked side.