Preview: Iran vs New Zealand prediction, odds, where to watch, time | FIFA World Cup 2026

Team Melli will take on the All Whites in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener.

Iran and New Zealand will take on each other in Group G, as both sides will look to start their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on a positive note.

Iran are a team surrounded by controversy for many reasons and hopes to give their fans some joy in these difficult times. Amir Ghalenoei hopes his men give their best on the biggest stage, as they are capable of advancing to the knockout stage, having experience of playing against the top teams.

Iran are a typical possession-based side who are technically very good and are unbeaten against New Zealand so far. They will face them after many years and will hope to keep their good record against them.

On the other hand, for the first time since 2010, New Zealand are competing in the FIFA World Cup. The All Whites, who secured their ticket to North America via a historic first direct slot available to Oceania, are the lowest-ranked nation, i.e., the 85th in the 48-team football competition.

After exiting in the group stage in their previous two outings, New Zealand will be searching for a first win and a place in the knockouts at this year’s tournament. This encounter promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening round.

Kick-Off:

• Location: California, USA
• Stadium: Los Angeles Stadium
• Date: 16/06/2026, 01:30 AM (GMT) | 09:00 PM (EST) | 16/06/2026, 06:30 AM (IST)
• Kick-Off Time:
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In Use

Form

Iran (in all competitions): W-W-W-L-L

New Zealand (in all competitions): L-L-W-L-L

Players to Watch

Mehdi Taremi (Iran)

Taremi is one of the best players of Iran as well as in Asia. His time at Inter Milan didn’t go that well, but he is doing well in the Greek Super League with Olympiacos. A player who is very lethal infront of the goal, and is someone who is capable of making a difference on the pitch.

This season, he played 34 matches for Olympiacos, in which he scored 12 and provided five assists. Fans have a lot of hope from him to deliver, and Taremi will be very well prepared for these upcoming matches.

Chris Wood (New Zealand)

The Nottingham Forest striker will lead his team upfront as well as be the captain of the team. He is playing at a top level, and he can help his team with his experience. Quality-wise, he is a great player who is a lethal striker and will be a big headache for the rest of the sides.

This season, he played 20 matches for the club in which he scored five goals; statistically, his season was awful, but he is capable enough to help his side in the World Cup.

Match Facts

• The last time these two faced each other was back in 2003
• This will be the first time these two sides face each other in the FIFA World Cup
• Iran are undefeated against New Zealand

Iran vs New Zealand: Betting Tips & Odds

• Tip 1 – Iran to win this fixture – 5/6 by bet265
• Tip 2 – Both teams to score
• Tip 3 – Goals scored over 1.5

Also Read: Where and how to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 around the globe? Full Broadcaster List

Injury and Team News

Iran Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand, Seyed Hossein Hosseini, Payam Niazmand

Defenders: Danial Eiri, Ehsan Hajsafi, Saleh Hardani, Hossein Kanaani, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Milad Mohammadi, Ali Nemati Omid Noorafkan, Ramin Rezaeian

Midfielders: Rouzbeh Cheshmi, Saeid Ezatolahi, Mehdi Ghaedi, Saman Ghoddos, Mohammad Ghorbani, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mohammad Mohebi, Amir Mohammad Razzaghinia, Mehdi Torabi, Aria Yousefi

Forwards: Ali Alipour, Dennis Dargahi, Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh, Mehdi Taremi, Shahriyar Moghanlou

New Zealand Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud

Defenders: Tim Payne, Francis De Vries, Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxal, Liberato Cacace, Nando Pijnaker, Finn Surman, Callan Elliot, Tommy Smith

Midfielders: Joe Bell, Marko Stamenić, Alex Rufer, Ryan Thomas, Lachlan Bayliss

Forwards: Matt Garbett, Chris Wood, Sarpreet Singh, Eli Just, Kosta Barbarouses, Ben Waine, Ben Old, Callum McCowatt, Jesse Randall

Head-to-Head

Matches: 2

Iran: 1

New Zealand: 0

Draws: 1

Predicted Lineups

Iran Predicted Lineup (4-4-2):

Beiranvand; Hardani, Kanaanizadegan, Khalilzadeh, Mohammadi; Jahanbakhsh, Ezatolahi, Ghoddos, Torabi; Ghayedi, Taremi

New Zealand Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):

Crocombe; Payne, Surman, Boxall, Cacace; Garbett, Stamenic, Bell; Wood, Just, Barbarouses

Match Prediction

Both teams are quality sides and will be very hungry to prove themselves on the pitch. Fans can expect this to be a very competitive fixture, and New Zealand will look to beat Iran for the first time. Iran does have experience of playing in the World Cup consistently, and most probably, this experience will help them to win this match.

Prediction: Iran 2-1 New Zealand

Telecast Details

India: Unite8 Sports Channels

UK: BBC & ITV

USA: FOX Sports

Nigeria: DStv

Full Broadcaster List here.