In a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 opener, Iran showed great resilience by coming from behind twice to snatch a 2-2 draw against New Zealand. The match took place at the iconic SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in front of over 70,000 passionate fans. This result came after months of uncertainty and logistical challenges for the Iranian squad.
Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi scored the crucial goals for Iran, cancelling out two strikes from New Zealand’s Elijah Just. The Kiwis took the lead in both halves, but Iran refused to give up and fought hard until the final whistle to earn a valuable point in Group G.
The build-up to the game was overshadowed by serious off-field problems. Due to ongoing tensions with the United States, Iran had to change their training base from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana in Mexico at the last minute. Several members of the Iranian delegation were denied visas, creating huge difficulties for the team. Despite these obstacles, the players delivered a determined performance on the pitch.
Spain Stunned by Cape Verde
In another surprising result of the day, European champions Spain were held to a 0-0 draw by debutants Cape Verde in Group H. The highly-favored Spanish side dominated possession with 74% but could not break through the disciplined defense of the African underdogs. Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha was outstanding and helped secure a historic point for his nation.
“This is a dream come true,” said Vozinha after the match. “We competed against one of the best teams in the world and we are very proud.”
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente remained calm, stating there was still a long way to go in the tournament and that his team was confident of progressing.
Other results on the day included Belgium coming from behind to draw with Egypt thanks to a late own goal forced by Romelu Lukaku, while Uruguay also had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia.
These early matches have already delivered plenty of drama and surprises in the expanded 48-team World Cup. For Iran, the point gained was not just about football — it was a victory against all the external pressures they have faced. The team will now look to build on this result as they continue their campaign
