Iran - New Zealand / 2026 FIFA World Cup

Follow the LIVE broadcast of the Iran vs. New Zealand match in Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on ŠPORT.sk! The match, also broadcast live on JOJ Šport, kicks off at 3:00 AM.

The football world is set for a rare intercontinental clash. In the opening round of Group G, two teams will meet for the first time ever at a World Cup. While the Asian representative is a regular participant in major tournaments, the Oceanic representative returns to the elite after a long absence. For both sides, this is a crucial championship fixture. Success in this match will significantly open the door to a coveted spot in the knockout stage, while a misstep could quickly extinguish hopes of reaching the Round of 16.

The "All Whites" are making their return to the global stage after a sixteen-year hiatus, marking their third overall appearance at the "Mundial." Fans vividly recall their performance in South Africa in 2010. Although the New Zealanders didn't advance from their group, they achieved a unique record as the only team in the entire tournament to remain undefeated. After three draws against Slovakia, Italy, and Paraguay, they finished third. They missed out on Qatar four years ago, narrowly losing 0-1 to Costa Rica in the intercontinental playoff. Since the summer of 2023, Darren Bazeley, who previously spent a long time developing youth football in the country, has been at the helm. Under his leadership, the team dominated the Oceanic qualifiers, conceding only once throughout the entire cycle.

New Zealand's playing style will largely depend on the performance of their biggest star. Striker Chris Wood from Nottingham Forest is his country's all-time leading scorer, and the team will rely heavily on his physical attributes and goal-scoring instinct. Bazeley's squad is likely to sit deep in an organized defensive block, threatening primarily from crosses aimed at Wood or dangerous set-pieces. Besides Wood, key players include midfielder Joe Bell, defender Liberato Cacace, and goalkeeper Max Crocombe.

However, they will face a theoretically stronger and significantly more experienced opponent. Iran confirms its status as an Asian powerhouse, making its seventh World Cup appearance, and its fourth in a row. The curse for the team nicknamed "Team Melli" remains the fact that they have never advanced from the group stage. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Iranians finished fourth in their group, managing to beat Wales (2-0) but losing to England (2-6) and narrowly to the USA (0-1). Since March 2023, seasoned coach Amir Ghalenoei has been in charge, marking his second national team stint. He guided the team to the tournament without major complications, focusing on a balance between defensive discipline and offensive prowess.

However, coach Ghalenoei expressed slight concerns about his players' match fitness before the tournament, openly stating that "several players from the domestic league lacked sufficient game rhythm." The offensive gem of the squad remains Olympiacos striker Mehdi Taremi, who ranks among Iran's all-time top scorers. He will be supported in midfield by captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh, the technically gifted Mehdi Ghayedi, and central engine Saman Ghoddos. Iran is expected to have more possession and dictate the tempo of the game.

Although New Zealand plays most of its competitive matches in vastly different conditions in Oceania and lacks frequent confrontation with top international teams, they have often brilliantly handled the role of an unpleasant underdog in the past.