🇮🇷 Iran vs 🇳🇿 New Zealand

Iran are at their fourth consecutive World Cup — a remarkable run of qualification for a nation that went decades without appearing at the tournament. Four in a row is genuine progress, not luck.

They beat Wales 2–0 at the 2022 World Cup, coming from behind with two late goals. That's a result against a European side that deserves more recognition than it got. Iran turning up and scoring late goals is now established tournament behaviour.

Sardar Azmoun is their most dangerous forward — plays in Europe, is technically gifted, and is the focal point of an attack capable of scoring against quality opposition on the right day.

Iran are in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Belgium are strong favourites. But the group is competitive, and Iran reaching the knockout stage is not impossible given what we've seen from them recently.

Iranian football is deeply political in ways that are impossible to ignore — the team carries the hopes of millions of fans who see the national side as something separate from the political situation. For any given match, they're just footballers. Worth keeping that framing in mind.

New Zealand qualify through the Oceania region, which is always described as the side door into the World Cup — but they've used previous appearances to develop players who genuinely compete at European level now.

They're in Group G with Belgium, Egypt and Iran. They're expected to finish last. New Zealand have caused upsets before and they're never easy to beat when organised and motivated, but this is a genuinely tough group.

Chris Wood of Newcastle is their best player — a Premier League striker who scores regularly and gives New Zealand a focal point that holds its own at international level. He will score at this tournament. Probably against someone you wouldn't expect.

New Zealand football has had a genuine boom following the women's team's success co-hosting the 2023 Women's World Cup. Participation has grown, infrastructure has improved. The men's team is the beneficiary of a broader football moment in the country.

The All Whites have a small but loyal fanbase who travel in decent numbers and are well-liked by other supporters. Their first World Cup game always attracts more neutral viewers than expected. There's a genuine warmth around them that's hard to explain but consistent.