Iran, 20th in the world rankings, will face New Zealand in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. The All Whites, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, are the clear beneficiaries of FIFA’s expanded 48-team format and will be eager to make the most of their first World Cup appearance in 16 years, under head coach Darren Bazeley.
However, recent results, including a heavy 4-0 defeat to Haiti and a narrow 1-0 defeat to England in pre-tournament friendlies, offer little encouragement heading into a daunting Group G opener.
Iran, on the other hand, arrives as the big favorite. Team Melli has qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup and has far more experience at this level, with stars like Mehdi Taremi expected to lead the attack. This could be his last World Cup, and with 60 goals in 105 games for his country, he will be desperate to take them to a first knockout stage.
With Belgium and Egypt also lurking in Group G, both teams know a positive result in Los Angeles is crucial. But can Iran cope with the chaotic logistics of having to travel to the United States for its match and then return to Mexico the same day? And the background noise around the signing of a peace agreement with the United States in recent hours?
Read on as we show you exactly how to watch Iran vs New Zealand for free from anywhere during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
How to watch Iran vs New Zealand for free
Iran vs New Zealand is available for free in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.
Are you far from home and can’t watch for free? Unlock your free World Cup stream with NortonVPN – more on this below.
Use a VPN to Watch Iran vs New Zealand Live Streams
It’s the World Cup, and if you travel, you might discover your Iran vs New Zealand The feed is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.
Don’t worry, this is exactly where a VPN can help you. A Virtual Private Network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were at home.
We recommend NortonVPN. Here’s why:
How to watch Iran vs New Zealand in the United States
American viewers can watch Iran vs New Zealand on FS1.
Cord cutters can access FS1 through live TV services like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (certain markets), Fubo Or DirectTV.
Those looking for a streaming service can instead watch Iran vs New Zealand on Fox One (3-day free trial).
If you’re looking for a Spanish-language stream, you can watch it on Telemundo, available via Peacock.
Visiting the USA from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup streaming for free thanks to Norton VPN (Money Back Guarantee).
How to watch Iran vs New Zealand in the UK
UK customers are lucky because they can stream Iran vs New Zealand for free on BBC iPlayer. Live coverage is also available on the BBC One TV channel.
You need a TV license and a valid UK postcode for an account (eg SE1 7PB).
NortonVPN can unblock your stream if you’re abroad today.
How to watch Iran vs New Zealand in Australia
Iran vs New Zealand will be broadcast for free in Australia on SBS on demand.
The streaming platform offers every match of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place to watch the World Cup.
Are you traveling for work or on vacation? A VPN like NortonVPN can help you unlock your free stream.
How to watch Iran vs New Zealand in Canada
In Canada, TSN will broadcast Iran vs New Zealand.
You can stream live via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
Outside of Canada? To use NortonVPN while you travel away from home to unblock your feed.
Iran vs New Zealand: Match Information
What time does Iran vs New Zealand start?
Iran vs New Zealand kick-off will be at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, June 15. It will be 2am BST and 11am AEST on Tuesday June 16.
Who are the teams for Iran against New Zealand?
Iran
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Tractor), Payam Niazmand (Persepolis), Hossein Hosseini (Sepahan)
Defenders: Saleh Hardani (Esteghlal), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan), Shojae Khalilzadeh (Tractor), Milad Mohammadi (Persepolis), Hossein Kanaanizadegan (Persepolis), Aria Yousefi (Sepahan), Ali Nemati (Foolad), Ramin Rezaeian (Foolad), Danial Eri (Malavan)
Midfield: Saeid Ezatolahi (Shabab Al-Ahli), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Dender), Mohammad Mohebi (Rostov), Saman Ghoddos (Kalba), Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal), Mahdi Torabi (Tractor), Mohammad Ghorbani (Al-Wahda), Amirmohammad Razzaghinia (Esteghlal)
Advantages: Mehdi Taremi (Olympiacos), Mehdi Ghayedi (Al-Nasr), Ali Alipour (Persepolis), Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh (Tractor), Shahriyar Moghanlou (Kalba), Dennis Eckert (Standard de Liège)
New Zealand
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe (Millwall), Alex Paulsen (Lechia Gdansk), Michael Woud (Auckland FC)
Defenders: Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Francis de Vries (Auckland FC), Tyler Bindon (Sheffield United), Michael Boxall (Minnesota United FC), Liberato Cacace (Wrexham), Nando Pijnaker (Auckland FC), Finn Surman (Portland Timbers), Callan Elliot (Auckland FC), Tommy Smith (Braintree)
Midfield: Joe Bell (Viking), Matthew Garbett (Peterborough United), Marko Stamenic (Swansea City), Sarpreet Singh (Wellington Phoenix), Elijah Just (Motherwell), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix), Ben Old (Saint-Etienne), Callum McCowatt (Silkeborg), Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle), Lachlan Bayliss (Newcastle Jets)
Advantages: Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest), Kosta Barbarouses (Western Sydney Wanderers), Ben Waine (Port Vale), Jesse Randall (Auckland FC)
|
Position |
Team |
DG |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Belgium |
0 |
0 |
|
2 |
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
Iran |
0 |
0 |
|
4 |
New Zealand |
0 |
0 |
Can I watch Iran vs New Zealand on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters offer streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or through your phone’s browser.
You can also stay up to date with all the key moments from the World Cup on the official social channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).
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