Iran fought back twice to hold New Zealand 2-2 in their opening 2026 World Cup match.

Iran National Team displayed unyielding resilience, coming back from behind on two separate occasions to force a 2-2 Draw against New Zealand in the opening fixture of 2026 World Cup Group G. This fiercely contested match that went down to the final seconds was hosted at Sofi Stadium, Inglewood, United States on Tuesday morning WIB.

This result has tightened competition in Group G, after Belgium were also held to a 1-1 draw by Egypt in the earlier group match. No team was able to collect all three points from the first two Group G fixtures.

New Zealand began the match on the front foot, immediately catching Iran by surprise. Elijah Just fired the All Whites into the lead just seven minutes after kickoff.

Elijah Just's clean volley could not be stopped by Iran Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. This opening goal put the score at 1-0 and lifted New Zealand's confidence significantly.

Stung by the early deficit, Iran moved to seize control of the match. Team Melli ramped up attacking pressure led by the movement of forward Mehdi Taremi.

In the 23rd minute, Taremi came agonisingly close to equalising, but his strike from outside the penalty area crashed against the right goalpost.

Iran finally levelled the score in the 32nd minute. Ramin Rezaeian pounced on a loose ball inside the box to make it 1-1.

Iran very nearly turned the match on its head just before halftime. Ali Nemati found the net during first half stoppage time, but the goal was disallowed after the referee ruled him offside before the shot.

The 1-1 scoreline remained going into the half time break.

As the second half got underway, New Zealand once again demonstrated their clinical attacking quality. In the 54th minute, Chris Wood laid off a pass inside the box which Elijah Just finished with a first-time strike, Putting New Zealand back ahead 2-1.

This was Elijah Just's second goal of the match.

New Zealand's lead did not hold for long. Iran pulled level once more in the 64th minute. Rezaeian sent in a cross that was headed cleanly past goalkeeper Max Crocombe by Mohammad Mohebi, bringing the score to 2-2.

Both sides pushed relentlessly for a winning goal. Iran created dangerous chances via a header from Mehdi Taremi, as well as a curling long range effort from Saeid Ezatolahi outside the penalty area.

New Zealand also had a clear opportunity to claim all three points, through a headed attempt from Chris Wood.

However neither side could find a late winner, and the 2-2 scoreline stood firm when the final whistle blew.

Lineups

Iran (4-4-2): Alireza Beiranvand, Ramin Rezaeian, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Ali Nemati, Milad Mohammadi, Arya Yousefi, Saeid Ezatolahi, Saman Ghoddos, Mohammad Mohebi, Mehdi Taremi, Shahriyar Moghanlou.

New Zealand (4-2-3-1): Max Crocombe, Tim Payne, Michael Boxall, Finn Surman, Liberato Cacace, Joe Bell, Marko Stamenic, Sarpreet Singh, Elijah Just, Callum McCowatt, Chris Wood.