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.

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

'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

Fifa issue verdict on World Cup referee’s white supremacy accusations as VAR official explains viral moment

Fifa World Cup 2026 official Shaun Evans has denied “intentionally” making a gesture that some perceived to be connected to an expression of white supremacy.

The Australian referee, working as part of the VAR team in Dallas at the World Cup broadcast centre, was seen making an “OK” symbol with his right hand in front of his right leg when the official broadcast of Germany against Curacao on Sunday cut away from pre-game footage to show the team of video review analysts.

The match, played in Houston, led to many complaints over the gesture, which sees a thumb and forefinger touched in a circle and other fingers outstretched and was interpreted as a hate symbol by the New York-based Anti-Defamation League in 2019.

Fifa issue verdict on World Cup referee’s white supremacy accusations

Shaun Evans maintains it was an ‘involuntary, subconscious twitch’ that led to an ‘OK’ symbol during the official broadcast of Germany's opening game against Curaçao on Sunday

Luke Baker16 June 2026 09:01

WATCH: 'How England's impossible job became a dream job for a German: Tuchel loves it'

The role of England manager has long been described as ‘the impossible job’.

Yet Thomas Tuchel, a German, appears to be the perfect man for it as our Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney explains.

'How England's impossible job became a dream job for a German: Tuchel loves it'

Luke Baker16 June 2026 08:36

Iran national anthem booed at World Cup before New Zealand game

The Iranian national anthem was booed by some spectators inside the SoFI Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday evening as Iran began their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Group G.

The match took place hours after President Donald Trump announced a preliminary US-Iran peace deal had been signed to end America’s’ war with Iran.

Iran national anthem booed at World Cup before New Zealand game

Iran began their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Group G after a build-up overshadowed by politics

Luke Baker16 June 2026 08:29

Resilient Iran defy World Cup obstacles to salvage draw against New Zealand

Iran drew their World Cup opener with New Zealand but emphatically won the support of the Iranian community inside SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, having overcome unprecedented obstacles just to play at these finals.

The Asian team hit back twice through Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi to force a 2-2 draw, with Eli Just grabbing a brace for the All Whites.

A World Cup had never kicked off with a host at war with a participant before. Iran have faced the threat of being unable to take their place at the tournament ever since the United States and Israel launched a bombing campaign back in February, been forced to change training venue from the US to Mexico to combat visa issues, and still had 11 non-playing officials blocked from entering the States for the team’s matches.

‘Lion and Sun’ flags – the emblem of Iran before the 1979 Islamic revolution – were in evidence within the stadium despite Fifa’s efforts to ban them and there was definitely booing of the anthem before the game from Los Angeles’ Iranian diaspora in attendance.

Overwhelmingly though, the fans had decided the team were not the regime, and roared them on from the outset.

Full report:

Luke Baker16 June 2026 08:21

Iran striker Mohammad Mohebbi defends 'gun' celebration

Iran's Mohammad Mohebbi has sparked outrage across social media after and apparent 'gun' celebration during last night’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand.

Many social media users spotted the nature of his celebration after pulling Iran level against the All Whites in Los Angeles but Mohebbi has defended his actions as “just a celebration”.

“I wanted to say thank you to all Iranians who live in Los Angeles, they make a great atmosphere,” he said. “The celebration came to mind, and I do this [gestures] for all of the fans, just a celebration, you know.”

Mohammad Mohebbi appeared to do a ‘gun’ celebration (Reuters)

(Reuters)

Luke Baker16 June 2026 08:18

World Cup 2026 - live

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s continued live coverage of the 2026 World Cup.

Iran got their campaign underway in controversial circumstances last night, while England are preparing for tomorrow’s opener against Croatia and Donald Trump is in the news again.

Stick with us for all the news

Luke Baker16 June 2026 08:12