Before kick-off: define the sample first

OutcomematchesShare
Iran wins0
Draws0
New Zealand wins0

FactUsing the explicit scope of completed 2026 World Cup matches before kick-off, the teams had met 0 times: 0 Iran wins, 0 draws and 0 New Zealand wins. This is not presented as an all-time record.

FactThe comparison direction on this page is fixed: Iran is the recorded home side, New Zealand the away side, and 2–2 is stored in that order. A later meeting would remain a separate event record.

Personnel: how the starting XI changed

FactIran established its tournament starting baseline; New Zealand also established its opening baseline. Continuity is calculated from confirmed starters only.

FactIran's opening baseline includes Alireza Beiranvand, Ramin Rezaeian, Shoja Khalilzadeh; New Zealand's opening baseline includes Max Crocombe, Tim Payne, Finn Surman. The names connect the continuity count to specific personnel.

The result: 2–2 and the decisive sequence

7′
Elijah Just changes the score0–1; assisted by Chris Wood
32′
Ramin Rezaeian changes the score1–1
54′
Elijah Just changes the score1–2; assisted by Chris Wood
64′
Mohammad Mohebi changes the score2–2; assisted by Ramin Rezaeian

FactThe final score was Iran 2–2 New Zealand. The verified scoring sequence was 7′ Elijah Just、32′ Ramin Rezaeian、54′ Elijah Just、64′ Mohammad Mohebi. Score, sequence and line-up changes are facts; the mechanism inferred from them is labelled as analysis.

FactThe verification index for Iran versus New Zealand fixes four fields: the 2–2 final score, the 2026 FIFA World Cup · Group G stage, the SoFi Stadium location and 4 scoring events. Together they identify this match without borrowing context from another fixture.

FactNode 1: Elijah Just scored for New Zealand in minute 7, setting the ledger at 0–1; Node 2: Ramin Rezaeian scored for Iran in minute 32, setting the ledger at 1–1; Node 3: Elijah Just scored for New Zealand in minute 54, setting the ledger at 1–2; Node 4: Mohammad Mohebi scored for Iran in minute 64, setting the ledger at 2–2

FactIran's location key for this match is SoFi Stadium, shared by New Zealand; Iran's 2 goals and New Zealand's 2 goals belong only to this venue and kick-off record.

Why this result made sense

AnalysisIran versus New Zealand, 2–2: The score stayed level. Aggregated player data shows a shot gap of 3 and a pass-completion gap of 7.5 percentage points; the outcome reflects offsetting conversion rather than uninterrupted control by one side.

Evidence confidence92%