Football World Cup 2026: All Whites draw with Iran

The All Whites found a new goal-scoring hero in a 2-2 draw with Iran in their opening Football World Cup game in Los Angeles.

New Zealand’s return to the global stage after 16 years wrote Eli Just’s name into the history books.

The diminutive midfielder, who plays his club football in the Scottish Premiership, became the first All White to score twice at a World Cup.

Just’s goals in either half helped New Zealand to draw with a side ranked 65 places ahead of them in the world rankings, and move to joint top of Group G on goal difference after all four teams have played once.

Where New Zealand’s goals were going to come from was a question ahead of the tournament but Just answered with his 10th goal for New Zealand in his first World Cup appearance.

Eli Just of New Zealand and Shoja khalilzadeh of IR Iran.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Profiting off some good work from captain Chris Wood, Just was able to get the ball into the back of the net in the seventh minute and give the All Whites a lead that they held on to for just over 20 minutes before Iran equalised with a goal for defender Ramin Rezaeian in the 32nd minute.

Just doubled his tally in the 55th minute, after again combining with Wood.

However, Iran struck back nine minutes later when midfielder Mohammad Mohebbi got on the end of a cross into the box that the New Zealanders had failed to pick up.

Level at 1-1 at halftime, the All Whites did not make any changes at the break and waited until the 67th minute to make substitutions when goalkeeper Max Crocombe was getting treatment before continuing on between the posts.

Iran had the better of the second half but the All Whites were able to hold for their four consecutive draw at a World Cup, following three draws at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

An injury to midfielder Matt Garbett on the eve of the game forced All Whites coach Darren Bazeley’s hand when it came to team selection for their opening game as he opted for Just, Sarpreet Singh and Callum McCowatt to start the match.

Auckland FC midfielder Logan Rogerson will join the All Whites for the remainder of the tournament to replace Garbett.

New Zealand’s next game is against Egypt in Vancouver on Monday.

See how the game unfolded below:

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