Group G standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Belgium | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 |  Egypt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 |  Iran | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What each team needs
Iran
A win in their opening match would put Iran in a strong position to advance from Group G.
New Zealand
An opening win over Iran would be a major statement and strengthen New Zealand's chances of progressing.
Team comparison
| Stat | Iran | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA Ranking | 20 | 93 |
| World Cup Titles | 0 | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 7 | 3 |
| Best WC Finish | Group stage (6 times) | Group stage (2010 — unbeaten) |
| Manager | Amir Ghalenoei | Darren Bazeley |
| How They Qualified | AFC 3rd Round — Group A winners | OFC — winners (1 guaranteed spot) |
| 2022 World Cup | Group stage — eliminated | Did not qualify |
| Captain | Alireza Jahanbakhsh | Chris Wood |
Prediction
Iran 2 — 1 New Zealand
Based on FIFA rankings and recent form. Iran (ranked 20th) enters as the slight favourite.
Match facts
Iran have appeared at 7 World Cups. New Zealand have appeared at 3.
Iran are ranked 20th in the world. New Zealand are ranked 93th.
This match takes place at SoFi Stadium, which is one of the 16 World Cup 2026 venues.
How to watch
| Region | Broadcast |
|---|---|
| USA (English) | FOX / FOX Sports App |
| USA (Spanish) | Telemundo / Peacock |
| UK | BBC / ITV (TBC) |
| Worldwide | FIFA+ (select territories) |
Venue
SoFi Stadium · Los Angeles · Capacity: 70,000
Full stadium guide →