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Iran twice come from behind to claim draw in World Cup opener with New Zealand

Iran fought back twice to earn a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their World Cup opener, leaving Group G tied at one point each. The match unfolded amid political tensions, with protests and diplomatic fallout overshadowing the game. Elijah Just scored twice for New Zealand, while Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi found the net for Iran. The Iranian team’s coach claims they were ordered out of the U.S. immediately after the match.

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What changed

New details emerged on Iran’s diplomatic expulsion from the U.S. and the team’s criticism of FIFA’s handling of their participation.

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  1. Iran twice come from behind to claim 2-2 draw vs. New Zealand in World Cup opener

    Iran fought back twice to earn a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their World Cup opener, leaving Group G tied at one point each. The match unfolded amid political tensions, with protests and diplomatic fallout overshadowing the game. Elijah Just scored twice for New Zealand, while Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi found the net for Iran. The Iranian team’s coach claims they were ordered out of the U.S. immediately after the match.

    What's confirmed:

    • Iran twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their 2026 World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles.
    • Elijah Just scored twice for New Zealand (7' and 54'), becoming the first All Whites player to score a World Cup brace and the first Motherwell FC player to score at a World Cup.
    • Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi scored for Iran (32' and 64', respectively), with Rezaeian also providing an assist—his first goal and assist in a single game for Iran.
    • The match was played amid protests against Iran’s government and reports of a tentative U.S.-Iran peace deal announced hours before kickoff.
    • Iran’s World Cup team coach stated they were ordered to leave the U.S. immediately after the match, with claims of being treated as ‘repressed’ by U.S. authorities.
    • The Iranian team criticized FIFA’s organization of the World Cup and claimed FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged his inability to prevent their diplomatic issues.
    • New Zealand’s Chris Wood became the first All Whites player with multiple World Cup assists and the first to feature in two World Cups.
    • The draw left both teams with one point in Group G, with New Zealand still searching for their first-ever World Cup win.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Iran’s players may have been influenced by political developments, including a reported U.S.-Iran peace deal announced before the match.
    • FIFA President Gianni Infantino allegedly admitted powerlessness to resolve Iran’s diplomatic issues during the tournament.
    • The Iranian team’s coach suggested broader systemic issues with World Cup organization, though no specific details were provided.
    confidence 92%