World Cup 2026 LIVE: Iran striker sparks outrage with ‘gun’ celebration in New Zealand clash | OneFootball

Iran opened its politically-charged World Cup 2026 campaign by playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw with New Zealand in a controversial match that saw anti-regime protests ahead of kick-off, the national anthem booed and an Iranian player forced to defend himself over a ‘gun’ celebration.

Mohammad Mohebbi snatched a point for Iran in the 64th minute and appeared to do a ‘finger gun’ gesture during his celebration, sparking outrage. Mohebbi defended his actions, saying after the game: “The celebration came to mind, and I do this [gestures] for all of the fans, just a celebration, you know.”

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has reportedly been given permission by Fifa to lift the World Cup trophy alongside the winners next month, as he memorably and awkwardly did at last summer’s Club World Cup, while England are preparing for their crunch opening game against Croatia on Wednesday, with Thomas Tuchel having become the perfect man for the impossible job.

Cape Verde hero in tears as mother couldn’t afford US visa to watch him at World Cup

The hero of Cape Verde’s stunning 0-0 draw with Spain, 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, was left in tears after the match and revealing his mother couldn’t afford the US to come and watch him at the World Cup.

Vozinha made seven saves to deny pre-tournament favourites Spain but the returnable bond of up to $15,000 (£11,200) that Cape Verde residents must pay to enter the US, meant his mother was unable to complete her application.

“I cried because I grew up with my grandparents and unfortunately they were not here; they died a few years ago,” he said. “They were everything for me, for my life.

“I also cried because my mum didn’t manage to be here because of the visa. Because of the money we had to pay for the visa, we didn’t manage to [get it done] on time. I would like her to be here, but I’m also very happy. I have worked my whole life for this moment.”

Vozinha was immense to deny Spain (Getty)

Luke Baker16 June 2026 10:37

New Zealand boss admits disappointment at World Cup draw

New Zealand twice led against Iran last night but couldn’t see out the victory as they only drew 2-2 – frustrating boss Darren Bazeley.

“We created loads of chances,” Bazeley told TVNZ. “I thought we were really, good in possession, defended pretty well for the majority.

“We've come off disappointed not win a game because we're leading twice, scored two great goals, had some moments which was really good.

“It's going to hurt a little bit because we had a chance to make history tonight and win a game at a World Cup and we came really close. We didn't lose, we kept in it and played really, really well.”

New Zealand couldn’t snatch victory over Iran (Reuters)

Luke Baker16 June 2026 10:11

The real reason why England must top their World Cup group

If the first few days of the 2026 World Cup have taught us anything, it is that predicting how the tournament will pan out makes fools of us all. Cape Verde were not meant to shut out Spain, many people’s favourites. Australia were not meant to beat a talented Turkey. Morocco were not meant to match the might of Brazil.

We can try, of course. Theoretically, there should be a material benefit in topping each group.

For England – on paper, at least – winning Group L is almost a necessity. Lawrence Ostlere explains why:

The real reason why England must top their World Cup group

Winning the group comes with a potentially easier road to the final, but ahead of England’s crunch game against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, reasons of geography are the strongest motivation to top Group L

Luke Baker16 June 2026 10:00

Marcelo Bielsa refuses to participate in photoshoot

It’s fair to say that Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa wasn’t feeling the photoshoot he was supposed to be taking part in...

Luke Baker16 June 2026 09:48

Donald Trump reportedly given permission to join winners in World Cup trophy lift

Fifa has reportedly given permission to Donald Trump to join in with the World Cup trophy lift next month, setting up a scene similar to last summer’s awkward World Club Cup trophy presentation.

It is being reported by talkSPORT that Fifa has no objection to the US president no objection to Trump breaking presentation protocol and handing the World Cup trophy directly to the winning captain, before remaining in the thick of the celebrations.

Normally, the trophy remains on a plinth and is carried by a member of the winning team onto the celebration podium.

In the Club World Cup last summer, Trump awkwardly and memorably stayed next to Chelsea captain Reece James as he lifted the trophy, causing bafflement, with Cole Palmer looking particularly confused.

Trump inserted himself into Chelsea’s Club World Cup celebration (Getty)

Luke Baker16 June 2026 09:35

Why Fifa has banned Iran’s pre-revolutionary flag at World Cup

Iranian-Americans initiated protests at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles before Iran’s World Cup 2026 opener against New Zealand and others displayed the banned pre-revolutionary flag despite Fifa’s ban being upheld.

Some had called on Iranians to unite and forget politics ⁠but others displayed symbols of protest against the government.

Here’s why the flag is banned:

Why Fifa has banned Iran’s pre-revolutionary flag at World Cup

The pre-revolutionary flag has been used by Iranians, in the USA and worldwide, as a symbol of protest and standing against the current regime

Luke Baker16 June 2026 09:26

'Oppressed' Iran claim they were forced to leave US straight after New Zealand game

Iran have claimed they were forced to leave the US just minutes after completing their World Cup opener against New Zealand.

Restrictions on Iranian players entering the US mean they had to move their training base to Tijuana, Mexico and are only travelling into the United States the day before the game.

They wanted to stay overnight in Los Angeles following the game but captain Mehdi Taremi and coach Amir Ghalenoei reported that they were forced to depart almost straight after the match instead.

“Everything is like a disaster actually for us,” said Taremi after the game. “Still we have some problems because we are supposed to be training tomorrow morning – recovery – then leave for Tijuana.

“But we have to leave Los Angeles right now, and it’s not good for us. It’s not good for the football, because in World Cup, you have to prepare good for the next game.

“Because it is a lot of stress for the players and the staff and everyone. But we don’t have that support and I think Fifa have to help us more than this.”

Ghalenoei confirmed that, adding: “We were supposed to stay here tonight to recover and return tomorrow lunchtime, but they haven’t permitted us. To be honest, I have no idea why. I think perhaps our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup.”

(Reuters)

Luke Baker16 June 2026 09:16

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