Everything you need for Iran vs New Zealand Live is right here — kick-off time, how to watch in your country, a full match preview, and our Group G prediction for this must-watch World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Iran vs New Zealand |
| Date | Monday, June 15, 2026 |
| Kick-off (ET) | 9:00 PM ET |
| Kick-off (GMT) | 1:00 AM GMT (June 16) |
| Kick-off (BST) | 2:00 AM BST (June 16) |
| Kick-off (Iran Local) | 4:30 AM IRST (June 16) |
| Kick-off (NZ Local) | 1:00 PM NZST (June 16) |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California, USA |
| Stage | Group G — FIFA World Cup 2026 |
How to Watch Iran vs New Zealand Live Stream Online
USA — Fox Sports / FS1
- Visit foxsports.com or download the Fox Sports app.
- Sign in with your cable or satellite TV provider credentials.
- Navigate to the FIFA World Cup 2026 section and select the match.
- For Spanish-language coverage, use the Telemundo or Peacock app instead.
Canada — TSN / CTV
- Go to tsn.ca or download the TSN app on your device.
- Log in with your Bell Media or cable provider subscription.
- Select the live FIFA World Cup 2026 match feed.
- Free-to-air viewers can also catch coverage on CTV and the CTV app.
UK — BBC iPlayer
- Visit bbc.co.uk/iplayer or download the BBC iPlayer app.
- Sign in with your free BBC account (no paid subscription required).
- Find the FIFA World Cup 2026 section and select the Iran vs New Zealand broadcast.
- You can also use the BBC Sport website for live text commentary and match stats.
Australia — SBS On Demand
- Go to sbs.com.au/ondemand or download the SBS On Demand app.
- Create a free SBS account if you don’t already have one.
- Navigate to the FIFA World Cup 2026 section and select the match.
- The game will also air live on SBS or SBS Viceland if available in your schedule.
Iran — IRIB
- Check the IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) app or official website.
- Select the live World Cup match listing for June 16 local time.
- IRIB holds domestic broadcast rights and covers all Iran national team fixtures.
- Fans can also seek official FIFA+ coverage if IRIB streams are unavailable in their region.
New Zealand — TVNZ+
- Visit tvnz.co.nz or download the TVNZ+ app.
- Purchase a TVNZ+ Event Pass to unlock full World Cup coverage.
- Search for the Iran vs New Zealand match under the FIFA World Cup 2026 section.
- Selected fixtures will also air free on TVNZ channels — check local listings for confirmation.
Which TV Channels Will Broadcast Iran vs New Zealand?
| Region | TV Channel(s) | Kick-off Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|
| USA | FS1 (English), Telemundo (Spanish) | 9:00 PM ET |
| Canada | TSN, CTV | 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT |
| UK | BBC One, BBC iPlayer | 2:00 AM BST (June 16) |
| Australia | SBS, SBS Viceland | 11:00 AM AEST (June 16) |
| Iran | IRIB | 4:30 AM IRST (June 16) |
| New Zealand | TVNZ, TVNZ+ | 1:00 PM NZST (June 16) |
In the UK, the BBC and ITV share World Cup 2026 rights, making this match free-to-air on terrestrial television.
In Australia, SBS holds the exclusive broadcast rights for 2026 and all 104 matches are available live and free with no subscription needed.
US viewers on FS1 will require a cable or streaming TV subscription, though Telemundo also carries Spanish-language coverage.
Match Preview
Iran arrive ranked 21st by FIFA, making them the heavy favorites against New Zealand, the lowest-ranked nation at 85th in the 48-team field.
Both sides are desperate for points in a Group G that also contains Belgium and Egypt, where every result matters.
Iran are expected to deploy a traditional back four, with Saeid Ezatolahi and Saman Ghoddos as a double pivot, and a front line of Jahanbakhsh, Ghayedi, and Mohebi supporting lone striker Mehdi Taremi.
New Zealand under Darren Bazeley will likely sit compact and look to exploit transitions, leaning on Chris Wood’s physicality to hold up play and bring others into the game.
Key absentees are worth noting on both sides — Iran are without Sardar Azmoun, who was dropped despite 57 goals in 91 international appearances, while New Zealand’s squad fitness is subject to confirmation ahead of kick-off, with Chris Wood having navigated an injury-affected club season.
Iran Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
| # | Position | Player Name | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Alireza Beiranvand | Tractor |
| 2 | GK | Hossein Hosseini | Sepahan |
| 3 | GK | Payam Niazmand | Persepolis |
| 4 | DEF | Danial Eiri | Malavan |
| 5 | DEF | Ehsan Hajsafi | Sepahan |
| 6 | DEF | Saleh Hardani | Esteghlal |
| 7 | DEF | Hossein Kanaani | Persepolis |
| 8 | DEF | Shoja Khalilzadeh | Tractor |
| 9 | DEF | Milad Mohammadi | Persepolis |
| 10 | DEF | Ali Nemati | Foolad |
| 11 | DEF | Ramin Rezaeian | Foolad |
| 12 | MID | Rouzbeh Cheshmi | Esteghlal |
| 13 | MID | Saeid Ezatolahi | Shabab Al-Ahli |
| 14 | MID | Mehdi Ghayedi | Al-Nasr |
| 15 | MID | Saman Ghoddos | Kalba |
| 16 | MID | Mohammad Ghorbani | Al-Wahda |
| 17 | MID | Alireza Jahanbakhsh | Dender |
| 18 | MID | Mohammad Mohebi | Rostov |
| 19 | MID | Amir Mohammad Razzaghinia | Esteghlal |
| 20 | MID | Mehdi Torabi | Tractor |
| 21 | MID | Aria Yousefi | Sepahan |
| 22 | FWD | Ali Alipour | Persepolis |
| 23 | FWD | Dennis Dargahi | Standard Liège |
| 24 | FWD | Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh | Tractor |
| 25 | FWD | Shahriyar Moghanlou | Kalba |
| 26 | FWD | Mehdi Taremi | Olympiacos |
Key Players to Watch
- Mehdi Taremi: Iran’s main striker with 101 caps and 56 international goals — he scored twice against England at Qatar 2022 and is their most dangerous finisher.
- Alireza Jahanbakhsh: The captain leads from wide areas and carries genuine pedigree, having been the first Asian player to finish as top scorer in a major European league with 21 goals for AZ Alkmaar in 2017–18.
- Alireza Beiranvand: A veteran with more than 80 caps, Beiranvand brings immense experience between the posts and is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.
New Zealand Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
| # | Position | Player Name | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Max Crocombe | Millwall |
| 12 | GK | Alex Paulsen | Lechia Gdańsk |
| 22 | GK | Michael Woud | Auckland FC |
| 4 | DEF | Tyler Bindon | Nottingham Forest |
| 5 | DEF | Michael Boxall | Minnesota United |
| 13 | DEF | Liberato Cacace | Wrexham AFC |
| 3 | DEF | Francis De Vries | Auckland FC |
| 24 | DEF | Callan Elliot | Auckland FC |
| 15 | DEF | Nando Pijnaker | Auckland FC |
| 2 | DEF | Tim Payne | Wellington Phoenix |
| 26 | DEF | Tommy Smith | Braintree Town |
| 16 | DEF | Finn Surman | Portland Timbers |
| 6 | MID | Joe Bell | Viking FK |
| 7 | MID | Matt Garbett | Peterborough United |
| 8 | MID | Marko Stamenić | Swansea City |
| 9 | MID | Sarpreet Singh | Wellington Phoenix |
| 10 | MID | Alex Rufer | Wellington Phoenix |
| 11 | MID | Ryan Thomas | PEC Zwolle |
| 14 | MID | Ben Old | Saint-Étienne |
| 17 | MID | Lachlan Bayliss | Newcastle Jets |
| 18 | FWD | Chris Wood | Nottingham Forest |
| 19 | FWD | Kosta Barbarouses | Western Sydney Wanderers |
| 20 | FWD | Eli Just | Motherwell |
| 21 | FWD | Ben Waine | Port Vale |
| 23 | FWD | Callum McCowatt | Silkeborg |
| 25 | FWD | Jesse Randall | Auckland FC |
Key Players to Watch
- Chris Wood: The 34-year-old captain and all-time top scorer with 45 goals from 88 caps, Wood scored nine times during qualifying — including a hat-trick in a 7-0 demolition of Fiji.
- Joe Bell: A combative and composed midfielder who sets the tempo from deep; his ability to win second balls will be critical against Iran’s technically gifted midfield.
- Liberato Cacace: The Wrexham left back brings pace and quality in transition, offering an overlapping threat that could give Iran’s defence problems on the counter.
Upcoming Match Schedule
Iran — Next Fixtures
| Date | Opponent | Stage | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 15, 2026 | New Zealand | Group G | SoFi Stadium | 9:00 PM |
| June 21, 2026 | Belgium | Group G | SoFi Stadium | 3:00 PM |
| June 26, 2026 | Egypt | Group G | Lumen Field | 11:00 PM |
New Zealand — Next Fixtures
| Date | Opponent | Stage | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 15, 2026 | Iran | Group G | SoFi Stadium | 9:00 PM |
| June 21, 2026 | Egypt | Group G | BC Place | 9:00 PM |
| June 26, 2026 | Belgium | Group G | BC Place | 11:00 PM |
Iran vs New Zealand Prediction
Iran hold every statistical advantage in this Group G opener — ranked 21st in the world and appearing at their seventh World Cup, Ghalenoei’s side have the experience, squad depth, and attacking quality through Taremi and Jahanbakhsh to control large portions of this match.
New Zealand’s well-organised defensive shape and physical presence will keep things competitive, but Iran’s technical edge in midfield should prove decisive.
We predict Iran 2–0 New Zealand, with Taremi threatening early and Jahanbakhsh adding a second from wide areas.
That said, the All Whites drew all three of their 2010 group games — football has a habit of upending logic, and New Zealand’s hunger for a historic first World Cup victory cannot be underestimated.
FAQs
What time does Iran vs New Zealand kick off?
The match kicks off at 9:00 PM ET on Monday, June 15, 2026 (2:00 AM BST / 1:00 PM NZST on June 16). Always verify with your local broadcaster in case of last-minute changes.
Where can I watch Iran vs New Zealand live online?
US viewers can watch on FS1, while UK fans can stream free on BBC iPlayer. Australian viewers can stream on SBS On Demand, Canadians on TSN, and New Zealand fans on TVNZ+ with an Event Pass.
What is the head-to-head record between Iran and New Zealand?
Iran and New Zealand have rarely met at senior international level, and this is their first encounter at a FIFA World Cup. Iran enter as the strong favorites given the significant gap in FIFA rankings between the two nations.
Who is the key player to watch in this match?
All eyes will be on Mehdi Taremi — Iran’s all-time leading scorer with 101 caps and a remarkable international record, whose movement and link play will largely determine whether Iran build on early pressure.
Who will win Iran vs New Zealand?
Iran are clear favorites given their superior FIFA ranking, squad quality, and World Cup experience. A comfortable Iran win is the most likely outcome, though New Zealand’s defensive resilience and Chris Wood’s threat on set-pieces ensure this opener is far from a formality.
