BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Iran and New Zealand shared the points in an entertaining FIFA World Cup 2026™ encounter, a result that carried significance far beyond the final score. With New Zealand’s draw against Team Melli, all six continental confederations represented at the tournament have now recorded at least one positive result, marking only the third time in FIFA World Cup™ history that every confederation has achieved such a feat.

The result also preserved the Asian Football Confederation’s impressive unbeaten start to the tournament. AFC nations have now gone six matches without defeat, recording victories against Korea Republic and Australia, while Qatar, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Iran have all earned draws.

Veteran defender Ramin Rezaeian once again etched his name into Iranian football history. His goal made him the first Iranian player ever to score in two different editions of the FIFA World Cup. At 36 years and 86 days, Rezaeian also became the oldest player from an AFC nation to score at the tournament, surpassing the previous record held by fellow Iranian Yahya Golmohammadi, who was 35 years and 84 days old when he scored against Mexico in 2006.

Iran’s experienced squad continued to set milestones. Shoja Khalilzadeh, aged 37 years and 32 days, became the second-oldest player to appear for Team Melli at a World Cup, behind only legendary striker Ali Daei. Meanwhile, captain Ehsan Hajisafi reached a landmark of his own by becoming the first Iranian player to make ten World Cup appearances.

New Zealand, however, demonstrated their trademark resilience. The All Whites have now drawn each of their last four World Cup matches, extending a remarkable streak on football’s biggest stage.

Elijah Just was the standout performer for the Oceania representatives, becoming the first New Zealand player to score two goals at a FIFA World Cup. Veteran defender Michael Boxall also entered the record books, becoming the oldest player from the Oceania Football Confederation to appear at the tournament at 37 years and 301 days.

Captain Chris Wood added another historic achievement for New Zealand, becoming the first player from his country to feature in two separate editions of the FIFA World Cup.

While neither side claimed all three points, the match delivered a series of memorable milestones and reinforced the growing competitiveness of nations across every corner of the global game. As the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues, both Iran and New Zealand can take pride in contributing to a historic tournament for their respective confederations.

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Iran came from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G clash at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday, with the match unfolding against the backdrop of political tensions surrounding Tehran and a tentative agreement aimed at ending the recent U.S.-Iran conflict.

According to Reuters, the atmosphere inside and outside the stadium reflected the complex emotions surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament. Los Angeles, home to the world’s largest Iranian diaspora community, saw hundreds of protesters gather before kickoff, many carrying Iran’s pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag and anti-government signs.

On the pitch, New Zealand made a bright start and took the lead when Elijah Just volleyed home from close range after being picked out by captain Chris Wood. The goal sparked celebrations among some anti-government supporters, while others had earlier booed Iran’s national anthem before the match.

However, the majority of the crowd of more than 70,000 appeared to back Team Melli, repeatedly chanting “Iran, Iran” and erupting in celebration when veteran defender Ramin Rezaeian equalised in the 33rd minute.

Rezaeian, one of several Iranian players whose domestic campaigns were disrupted after the suspension of the country’s league earlier this year, reacted quickest to a blocked effort and slotted the rebound past the advancing New Zealand goalkeeper.

The All Whites restored their advantage shortly after halftime through another combination between Wood and Just. Wood threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the Iranian defence and just finished emphatically to score his second goal of the match.

Iran again found a response, this time through Mohammad Mohebbi. The forward met Rezaeian’s pinpoint cross with a powerful header that struck the far post before bouncing into the net to level the score at 2-2.

Iran pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages and created the better opportunities, but New Zealand held firm to claim a valuable point.

“I love my mom and dad. They always pray for me in difficult times, so this is for them,” Rezaeian said after the match.

“And also for my people in Iran.”

The result leaves Group G finely balanced after Belgium and Egypt played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, meaning all four teams sit on one point after their opening matches.

For New Zealand, the draw extended their wait for a first World Cup victory. The All Whites, appearing in their third finals tournament, have now gone seven World Cup matches without a win.

“We’re disappointed not to win,” New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley said.

“When you’re leading twice in a game, you come away with that what if. We were probably as close as we’ve ever been to winning a game at the World Cup, and we couldn’t quite do that today.

“But we’re in the World Cup, we didn’t lose, we stayed in the game, scored goals and created chances, so it was a really strong performance, I’m really proud of it.”

Reuters reported that divisions among Iranian-American supporters were evident throughout the day. Some fans said attending the match could be interpreted as support for Tehran’s government, while others insisted they were there solely to support the national team and its players.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei also highlighted the challenges his squad has faced during the tournament. After relocating their World Cup base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, the team has been required to travel internationally for each group-stage match.

Ghalenoei complained that several federation officials and members of the coaching staff had been unable to enter the United States after visa applications were rejected.

“I think perhaps our team is the most oppressed one in the World Cup,” he said through a translator.

Despite those difficulties, the coach praised the support his side received in Los Angeles.

“It was a very good atmosphere,” he said.

“It was very positive. I was very happy with the supporters and the fans who were supporting the Iranian players. I think that was a very great achievement.”

Iran will return to Los Angeles to face Belgium in their next Group G fixture, while New Zealand will travel to Vancouver to take on Egypt as the battle for qualification to the knockout stages intensifies.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

France and Senegal will rekindle one of the most memorable rivalries in FIFA World Cup history when they meet in their Group I opener in New York, New Jersey, on Tuesday.

The clash brings back memories of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan when tournament debutants Senegal stunned defending champions France 1-0 in Seoul, producing one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.

Twenty-four years later, both nations arrive as established forces in international football, with France seeking a third world title and Senegal aiming to make another deep run at the tournament.

France enter the competition as one of the favourites after an impressive qualifying campaign that saw Didier Deschamps’ side record five wins and one draw to finish six points clear at the top of their qualifying group.

Les Bleus are making their 17th World Cup appearance and their eighth consecutive participation, a run that reflects their consistency at the highest level. The French have reached the final in four of the last seven World Cups, winning the trophy in 1998 and 2018 while finishing runners-up in 2006 and 2022.

Their most recent campaign ended in heartbreak in Qatar, where they lost to Argentina on penalties after one of the most dramatic finals in tournament history.

France’s attack will again be spearheaded by captain Kylian Mbappe, who etched his name into World Cup folklore in 2022 by becoming only the second player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. The French superstar finished that tournament with eight goals to claim the Golden Boot award.

Another milestone awaits coach Didier Deschamps, who will oversee France at the World Cup for the 20th time. Only six coaches in history have reached that landmark, placing the former France captain among the most experienced managers ever to grace the tournament.

While France boast one of the richest World Cup pedigrees, Senegal have developed into one of Africa’s most consistent performers on the global stage.

The Teranga Lions are appearing at their fourth World Cup and their third consecutive tournament. Their greatest achievement came during their unforgettable debut in 2002 when they reached the quarter-finals after defeating France in the opening match.

Senegal also advanced to the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022, reinforcing their status as one of Africa’s leading football nations.

Their group-stage record at the World Cup is particularly impressive. The West Africans have lost only two of their nine group matches, winning four and drawing three.

That resilience and tournament experience make them dangerous opponents for any team, including one of France’s quality.

The meeting promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening round, pitting European power against African ambition in a contest rich with history and significance.

For France, victory would be an ideal start to another title challenge. For Senegal, it offers an opportunity to create fresh memories against the same opponents they famously defeated in their first-ever World Cup match.

With both nations harbouring ambitions of progressing deep into the tournament, the result could have a significant impact on the shape of Group I and set the tone for their respective campaigns.

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