Iran, qualifying for their seventh World Cup and arriving with the experience of Taremi, Jahanbakhsh and Hajsafi. New Zealand, the All Whites, return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010, captained by Premier League striker Chris Wood. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood hosts on the West Coast.
Why: Iran averaged 2.2 goals per match in AFC qualifying and New Zealand's defensive structure outside the OFC has been brittle (3+ goals conceded in 4 of last 6 vs European/American opposition). Wood himself scores at a rate of one every other game for Forest. Combined, over 2.5 looks more like 60% than the bookmaker's 50% implied.
Taremi is Iran's main attacking threat. 101 caps and 56 international goals, with his summer 2025 move to Olympiacos producing 15 Greek Super League goals plus 4 in Europa League. New Zealand's centre-back pairing of Boxall and Ashby will struggle with his movement. Typical Anytime price 2.05.
Stamenic is New Zealand's most-bookable midfielder. He averages a yellow every 3-4 matches at club level and will be tasked with stopping Taremi and Jahanbakhsh in transition. The match-up style strongly suggests cards. Anytime Card around 2.80.
The match is at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the $5+ billion megaproject that opened in 2020 as the home of the NFL's LA Rams and Chargers. Soccer capacity 70,000. The translucent fabric roof and central video board are unlike anything else in major American sport.
SoFi will host eight matches at the 2026 World Cup. It will also host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Iran have qualified for seven World Cups (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) and never advanced past the group stage. Their best moment remains the 1998 win over the USA, a politically charged group-stage match in Lyon.
Amir Ghalenoei took over from Carlos Queiroz in March 2024. The Iranian coach brings a more aggressive tactical style after Queiroz's defensive setups. Taremi at Olympiacos, Jahanbakhsh at Dender, and Hajsafi at Sepahan form the squad's spine.
Something cool: Iran came within seconds of qualifying for the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup. They beat Wales 2-0 in the second group game and were tied 0-0 with the USA in the third, requiring a draw to advance. Christian Pulisic scored in the 38th minute. Iran never recovered. They have never been closer to a knockout-round appearance.
New Zealand's previous World Cup appearance was 2010 in South Africa, where they were the only unbeaten team in the entire tournament (three draws against Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay) but were eliminated in the group stage on goal difference. The 16-year wait ends at 2026.
Darren Bazeley took over as coach in 2024. The squad combines Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest, Premier League regular) with players from MLS, the Australian A-League and English lower divisions.
Something cool: New Zealand are the only team in 2010 World Cup history to leave undefeated. They drew all three group matches (1-1, 1-1, 0-0) and were eliminated on goal difference behind Paraguay and Slovakia. Forty-eight years from their previous World Cup (1982), the 2010 run remains a national football folk story.
Jahanbakhsh took the Iran captaincy in 2024 after Karim Ansarifard's international retirement. The 32-year-old now plays for KAA Gent in Belgium after spells at AZ Alkmaar, Brighton & Hove Albion and Feyenoord.
His role for Iran is right wing with creative freedom, drifting inside to combine with Taremi. He scored Iran's iconic equaliser against Wales at the 2022 World Cup.
Captaining at his third World Cup, with Iran chasing the Round of 16 breakthrough that has narrowly escaped them in 2018 and 2022.
Wood is New Zealand's all-time top scorer and the only Kiwi to consistently feature in the Premier League. Club journey: West Brom, Leicester, Leeds, Burnley, Newcastle and now Nottingham Forest since 2023, where he is a regular starter.
His role is the focal point of a counter-attacking team. New Zealand build around his hold-up play and aerial presence.
At 34 captaining at his second World Cup, with the responsibility of leading the All Whites' first knockout-round attempt since 1982.
Iran finished top of AFC Group B with 8 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, scoring 25 goals across qualifying. Taremi led the scoring with 9 in qualifying.
New Zealand qualified through the OFC route, then beat Bahrain 1-0 in an intercontinental playoff to seal their place. Wood scored the winning goal.
Based on each side's most recent friendly. Final XIs confirm one hour before kick-off; this page will update.
| Date | Match | Venue | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jun | Belgium vs Egypt | Seattle | Preview → |
| 16 Jun | Iran vs New Zealand | Inglewood | This page |
| 21 Jun | Belgium vs Iran | Inglewood | Preview → |
| 21 Jun | New Zealand vs Egypt | Vancouver | Preview → |
| 26 Jun | Egypt vs Iran | Seattle | Preview → |
| 26 Jun | New Zealand vs Belgium | Vancouver | Preview → |
All four teams, qualification scenarios and BetBot predictions: See full Group G overview →
Amir Ghalenoei's Iran play a 4-3-3 with a clear counter-attacking identity. Hajsafi pushes high at left-back; the central midfield three of Ezatolahi, Ghoddos and Torabi is built to win the ball and quickly release Taremi, Azmoun and Jahanbakhsh in transition.
Bazeley's New Zealand play a 4-4-2 with Chris Wood and either Barbarouses or a younger striker as the front pair. The midfield four of Bell, Stamenic, Singh and Just is built for ball winning and quick distribution. Boxall and Cacace lead the defence; both are Australian A-League regulars.
The key tactical battle: Iran's transition speed vs New Zealand's defensive structure. The All Whites are well-organised but not particularly quick at the back. Iran's three front players (Taremi, Azmoun, Jahanbakhsh) all have the pace and skill to exploit gaps.
Both squads have moderately strong defensive records but score frequently. Iran averaged 2.2 goals per match in qualifying; New Zealand's intercontinental playoff against Bahrain showed they can both keep clean sheets and score. The over 2.5 market is the most likely outcome.
Chris Wood is New Zealand's only Premier League striker and the player on whom their entire attacking strategy depends. If Iran can isolate him from service for 60+ minutes, the New Zealand attack becomes very limited.
Iran's path requires beating New Zealand and then taking points off Egypt. The Belgium match is likely a loss-acceptance scenario. With 4+ points from the other two matches Iran can advance via the third-placed path.
New Zealand's realistic ceiling is the third-placed qualification path. They need to be competitive in all three matches. A draw or win here is essential to that ambition.
Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 00:00 ET (06:00 CEST). SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California. Late-evening US Pacific kick-off.
Right winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh (KAA Gent), captain since 2024. He plays in Belgium after previous spells at Brighton and Feyenoord.
Striker Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest), New Zealand's all-time top scorer and only consistent Premier League regular.
16 years. Their previous appearance was 2010 in South Africa, where they were the only unbeaten team but eliminated on goal difference.
They drew all three group matches and were the only team in the entire 2010 tournament to leave undefeated. Eliminated on goal difference behind Paraguay and Slovakia.
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