New Zealand mark World Cup return in style against Iran | OneFootball

Good things come to those who wait. And for New Zealand, that wait lasted a mere 16 years.

New Zealand’s World Cup History

New Zealand first participated in a World Cup in 1982, losing all three matches in Spain, scoring two goals and conceding 12. They returned in 2010, holding Slovakia, Italy, and Paraguay to stalemates in South Africa. And in 2026, they made their third appearance at a World Cup and excelled in a 2-2 draw against Iran, showcasing New Zealand’s overall progression as a footballing country.

“That 2010 run inspired the next generation of Kiwi kids to play football, and we see them coming through now. There are so many more professional footballers making their way in the game now,” stated New Zealand defender Tommy Smith to Hooligan Soccer. “Back in 2010, we still had some semi-pros who weren’t even professional footballers at that time, so now the pool of players that we get to pick from is that much bigger, and the talent itself is that much better. Hopefully we can continue improving, and with us getting automatic qualification through Oceania, that can only stand us in good stead for future tournaments as well.”

Smith is one of two New Zealand players who, after competing in South Africa, is now playing in the 2026 edition alongside Chris Wood. And whilst Smith remained on the bench in their tournament opener, Wood made history by becoming the first-ever New Zealand player to compete in two World Cups.

“We’ve gotten a lot more technical and tactical,” stated Wood to Hooligan Soccer. “We had a lot of heart in 2010 and the mentality of a strong squad, but it’s definitely moved on, and we’re looking to be capable of performing and playing better football, which we have done, and I think we showed it today.”

Match Report: Iran

That improvement was on full display in Inglewood, California, as the All Whites faced off against Iran in their tournament opener. From the very start, it became evident that this was going to be an end-to-end, basketball-style match, one with ample opportunities for both sides. It was New Zealand who drew first blood in the seventh minute, with Wood chesting it down for Elijah Just to slam home the opening goal.

“If people were surprised, then maybe they haven’t been following because we have such a talented group,” stated Just to Hooligan Soccer. “We work really hard, and coming into the tournament, our goal was to get out of the group. We’re almost a little bit disappointed, we think that today could’ve been three points, but of course, a lot of positives, and now we look forward.”

The two sides continued to trade blows, with Iran eventually responding via Ramin Rezaeian and nearly taking the lead, only for the goal to be ruled off due to offsides. New Zealand would restore their advantage, once again courtesy of the Wood-Just combination, with the Motherwell winger slotting home the second goal shortly after the interval. However, the All Whites were unable to protect their lead, with Rezaeian executing an inch-perfect cross for Mohammad Mohebi to head home en route to a stalemate.

“Punching above our weight”

“We only had one player on the pitch that has experienced the World Cup, and that was Woodsy, so it was big for us to see how everyone would step up in that moment and play in such a big, full stadium,” stated New Zealand midfielder Ryan Thomas to Hooligan Soccer. “It was nice to see the boys step up. Maybe we were a little disappointed with only a draw after going up twice, but hopefully we can pull through in the next games. Coming from a small country, New Zealanders are always punching above our weight, but we want to get rid of that stamp and try to create a little bit more of a flee-flowing football tactic that we’re trying to implement now, and hopefully we will bring that in the coming games.”

It was an incredibly emotional moment for all of the 26 players representing the All Whites, but perhaps none more than Matthew Garbett. The Peterborough United man looked set to play a starting role for New Zealand, having racked up 5 goals in 38 caps. But with just hours to go before the opening match, Garbett was ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Logan Rogerson.

“[If there’s one positive from today], it would have to be our attacking intent, mate. I think we were super sharp in the top third of the pitch, something that we’ve maybe not been the best at the last few games,” stated Garbett to Hooligan Soccer. “I think today, you saw the amount of chances that were on display, and I think taking that into the next couple of games will be huge – especially the next one against Egypt.”

Next Fixtures

Iran will face off against Belgium in Inglewood before heading north to Seattle to take on Egypt, whilst New Zealand will head to Vancouver for their next two meetings against Egypt and Belgium. And maybe, just maybe, New Zealand will be able to shock the world and pull off their first-ever victory in a FIFA World Cup.

“I think that overall, we came away with a point, which is not the worst ending,” stated New Zealand’s Finn Surman to Hooligan Soccer. “But it’s a little disappointing because we did feel that the game was there for the taking, and we do believe that it’s a game that we could have won. I think that the big positives that we can take from that is the clinical aspect of our play today. The two goals we scored were great combinations and really good quality in the final third, and in the past, that’s something that we’ve lacked a little bit. For it to come out today is really good. We need to carry that on for the rest of the tournament and continue to score goals when we do create those chances.”