Iran fights back twice to draw New Zealand in World Cup opener marred by protests, visa strife, and war backdrop

Political backdrop and fan divisions

The World Cup Group G opener took place less than 24 hours after the Trump administration announced a framework agreement to end the US-Iran conflict that began with American-Israeli strikes in February. The uneasy peace cast a shadow over Iran's participation, with the team forced to base themselves in Tijuana, Mexico, after 11 staff members were denied US visas. Outside SoFi Stadium, an estimated 300 to 500 Iranian expatriates protested, waving the banned lion-and-sun flag and denouncing the team's ties to the Islamic regime. Inside, the 70,000-strong crowd mirrored those divisions: some fans whistled through the national anthem while others sang, and pockets of spectators celebrated New Zealand's goals as enthusiastically as Iran's.

It's a global event; there are three to four billion people watching and the United States could make much warmer, friendlier gestures and create a better image for itself.

The match: New Zealand strikes first, Iran responds

New Zealand, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, dominated early stretches and took the lead in the 7th minute when Elijah Just finished a swift move involving captain Chris Wood. Iran equalised just past the half-hour mark through right-back Ramin Rezaeian, who surged forward and slotted home calmly. Just restored the advantage 10 minutes after the interval, again combining with Wood, but Rezaeian delivered a pinpoint cross in the 64th minute that Mohammad Mohebbi headed in to make it 2-2. Iran striker Mehdi Taremi was kept quiet for much of the contest, leaving Rezaeian as the unexpected creative force.

Team Melli's logistical grievances

After the final whistle, head coach Amir Ghalenoei and several players launched an angry broadside at World Cup organisers, revealing they had been told to leave Los Angeles immediately and fly back to their Tijuana camp late Monday night rather than recover overnight. Ghalenoei called his side "the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup," noting that neither the federation president, nor media officers, nor part of the management team were present due to visa denials. Taremi described the situation as "a disaster." FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the dressing room and, according to the players, promised to help, but the team's flight was scheduled for the 11 p.m. hour.

After the game today they said to us, 'You have to leave immediately.' We've been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana and we are really troubled by that. They are making the situation more and more difficult, more hurdles, but we're not going to let that stop us from doing our best.

Pride and pain in New Zealand

Away from the geopolitical drama, New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley hailed his side's performance as possibly their best ever, even as the draw extended their winless World Cup run to seven matches. Bazeley said the All Whites produced enough quality moments to snatch a historic victory but were undone by a momentary defensive lapse. In Wellington, fans gathered at a sports bar in the early hours to watch the electrifying encounter, with supporters on both sides insisting the night belonged to football.

I'm a huge football fan and I know it’s very polarised and there are emotions and strongly held opinions – I think it’s really unfortunate, the players and the team suffer a lot. They're not the ones responsible for human rights abuses.

What's next

The result leaves all four Group G teams level on one point after Belgium and Egypt drew 1-1 earlier on Monday. Iran must continue its cross-border commute for its remaining two group-stage matches in the United States, while New Zealand will hope to convert their encouraging display into a first-ever World Cup victory. The fusion of sport, identity and wartime politics is likely to follow Team Melli throughout the tournament.