Iran vs New Zealand World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Iran to keep clean sheet in victory
Iran and New Zealand meet in a must-win World Cup Group G clash at SoFi Stadium. Both teams are targeting a crucial three points to advance, with Belgium and Egypt likely to occupy the top two spots. Iran, known for their defensive strength and spearheaded by prolific striker Mehdi Taremi, comes in on the back of three straight wins. In contrast, New Zealand has struggled to score, losing nine of their last eleven games. The recommendation is a win for Iran, with Taremi to add to his international goal tally.
- Iran vs New Zealand predictions for Monday's World Cup Group G game
- New Zealand in poor form, losing 4-0 to Haiti and going down in nine of last 11
- Prediction: Iran to win with a clean sheet, Taremi to score
- The game is scheduled for kick off at 11.00am AEST on Tuesday June 16
Iran v New Zealand Live StreamWatch live online at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026. T&Cs apply.
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Iran vs New Zealand World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
It's a must-win game for Iran and New Zealand as the two nations square off in World Cup Group G action on Monday at SoFi Stadium in California.
With the World Cup expanding to 48 nations and the eight-best third-placed teams in the group stage advancing into the knockout phase, there's a great chance for Iran and New Zealand to reach the Round of 32 - but they need to secure all three points in this game.
Belgium and Egypt are expected to finish in the top two automatic qualifying spots, leaving these two sides to battle it out for third.
I've got to side with Iran here. They are traditionally tough to break down defensively and New Zealand are the lowest-ranked nation at the World Cup, struggling to find the back of the net and only really qualifying due to the weak Oceania region, where they only had to beat nations like Tahiti, Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji and New Caledonia.
Iran have won three straight friendlies coming into the World Cup and look well-placed for a win to nil here, with the Kiwis failing to score in six of their last nine defeats. Olympiakos striker Mehdi Taremi continues to be the main man for Iran up front and can add to his 60 national team goals.
Iran vs New Zealand Stats & Trends
- Iran have won their last three games
- Six of Iran's last eight wins have been to nil
- New Zealand have lost nine of their last 11 games
- New Zealand have failed to score in six of their last nine defeats
- Mehdi Taremi contributed to 17 of Iran's 35 goals in qualifying, scoring 10, while he also has four goals in his last four appearances for his country
- Three of New Zealand's last eight defeats have been by a 1-0 score
Iran vs New Zealand Head To Head
This will be the first competitive meeting between the teams.
Iran Form Analysis
Iran qualified for the World Cup in comfortable fashion and will now be targeting just their second ever win in their opening game on the big stage.
However, unsurprisingly it's been tough going with off-field turmoil surrounding the side and they are forced to commute from Mexico to their games in the United States, which may prove draining as the tournament goes on.
Amir Ghalenoei's are in fine form nonetheless, coming into this clash on the back of three straight friendly wins, beating Costa Rica 5-0, Gambia 3-1 and Mali 2-0.
Iran Team News
Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Dennis Eckert and Mehdi Torabi are in some doubt for this game, along with Roozbeh Cheshmi.
Mehdi Taremi has scored 60 goals from 105 games for Iran and remains the go-to man up front.
Iran Squad
| Pos. | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Alireza Beiranvand | 33 | 86 | 0 | Tractor |
| GK | Payam Niazmand | 31 | 15 | 0 | Persepolis |
| GK | Hossein Hosseini | 33 | 13 | 0 | Sepahan |
| DF | Saleh Hardani | 27 | 18 | 1 | Esteghlal |
| DF | Ehsan Hajsafi | 36 | 146 | 7 | Sepahan |
| DF | Shojae Khalilzadeh | 37 | 58 | 2 | Tractor |
| DF | Milad Mohammadi | 32 | 76 | 1 | Persepolis |
| DF | Hossein Kanaanizadegan | 32 | 65 | 6 | Persepolis |
| DF | Aria Yousefi | 24 | 14 | 1 | Sepahan |
| DF | Ali Nemati | 30 | 17 | 0 | Foolad |
| DF | Ramin Rezaeian | 36 | 74 | 8 | Foolad |
| DF | Danial Eiri | 22 | 0 | 0 | Malavan |
| MF | Saeid Ezatolahi | 29 | 83 | 2 | Shabab Al-Ahli |
| MF | Alireza Jahanbakhsh | 32 | 98 | 17 | Dender |
| MF | Mohammad Mohebi | 27 | 36 | 14 | Rostov |
| MF | Saman Ghoddos | 32 | 68 | 3 | Kalba |
| MF | Rouzbeh Cheshmi | 32 | 40 | 3 | Esteghlal |
| MF | Mahdi Torabi | 31 | 52 | 7 | Tractor |
| MF | Mohammad Ghorbani | 25 | 16 | 0 | Al-Wahda |
| MF | Amirmohammad Razzaghinia | 20 | 4 | 0 | Esteghlal |
| FW | Mehdi Taremi | 33 | 105 | 60 | Olympiacos |
| FW | Mehdi Ghayedi | 27 | 30 | 10 | Al-Nasr |
| FW | Ali Alipour | 30 | 14 | 1 | Persepolis |
| FW | Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh | 25 | 18 | 5 | Tractor |
| FW | Shahriyar Moghanlou | 31 | 21 | 2 | Kalba |
| FW | Dennis Eckert | 29 | 0 | 0 | Standard Liège |
New Zealand Form Analysis
Unsurprisingly, New Zealand qualified for the expanded 48-team World Cup in easy fashion and will now compete in the tournament the first time since 2010, where they drew all three of their games - including against then-reigning champions Italy.
However, the Kiwis have managed just two wins since securing their ticket to North America, but they were solid victories over Ivory Coast and Chile.
Since landing in North America, it's been tough times for Darren Bazeley's side - they've lost 4-0 to Haiti and 1-0 to England, part of a worrying extended trend of nine defeats from their last 11 outings.
New Zealand Team News
Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood leads the line for New Zealand and will be hoping to add to his 45 goals for the national team.
Motherwell midfielder Eli Just played a starring role in securing his club's European qualification this past season and should start in midfield.
Jesse Randal had a standout season in the A-League for champions Auckland and could get some minutes in attack.
New Zealand Squad
| Pos. | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Max Crocombe | 32 | 24 | 0 | Millwall |
| GK | Alex Paulsen | 23 | 8 | 0 | Bournemouth |
| GK | Michael Woud | 27 | 6 | 0 | Auckland FC |
| DF | Tim Payne | 32 | 51 | 3 | Wellington Phoenix |
| DF | Francis de Vries | 31 | 20 | 1 | Auckland FC |
| DF | Tyler Bindon | 21 | 25 | 3 | Nottingham Forest |
| DF | Michael Boxall | 37 | 63 | 1 | Minnesota United |
| DF | Liberato Cacace | 25 | 37 | 1 | Wrexham |
| DF | Nando Pijnaker | 27 | 25 | 0 | Auckland FC |
| DF | Finn Surman | 22 | 19 | 2 | Portland Timbers |
| DF | Callan Elliot | 26 | 11 | 0 | Auckland FC |
| DF | Tommy Smith | 36 | 56 | 2 | Braintree Town |
| MF | Joe Bell | 27 | 32 | 1 | Viking |
| MF | Matthew Garbett | 24 | 37 | 5 | Peterborough United |
| MF | Marko Stamenić | 24 | 39 | 3 | Swansea City |
| MF | Sarpreet Singh | 27 | 28 | 3 | TSC |
| MF | Elijah Just | 26 | 44 | 9 | Motherwell |
| MF | Alex Rufer | 30 | 26 | 0 | Wellington Phoenix |
| MF | Ben Old | 23 | 24 | 2 | Saint-Étienne |
| MF | Callum McCowatt | 27 | 32 | 4 | Silkeborg |
| MF | Ryan Thomas | 31 | 25 | 3 | PEC Zwolle |
| MF | Lachlan Bayliss | 23 | 4 | 0 | Free Agent |
| FW | Chris Wood (c) | 34 | 90 | 45 | Nottingham Forest |
| FW | Kosta Barbarouses | 36 | 76 | 10 | Western Sydney Wanderers |
| FW | Ben Waine | 25 | 31 | 9 | Port Vale |
| FW | Jesse Randall | 23 | 11 | 2 | Dundee United |
Iran vs New Zealand Live Stream
Watch and bet on Iran vs New Zealand live football from the World Cup.
You can watch and bet on the match live at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026 with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.
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To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming on bet365 is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.
Verdict
Iran should prove too strong for New Zealand, who are struggling to score. Taremi can add to his goalscoring tally up front.
Iran Win
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