Overview
- Iran and New Zealand played to a 2-2 draw at SoFi Stadium, with the match played before about 70,000 spectators on Monday.
- Elijah Just scored twice for New Zealand and Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi each scored for Iran to level the game twice.
- Iran’s squad flew in from a temporary base in Tijuana because players received U.S. visas while several coaches and support officials were denied entry.
- Hundreds protested outside the stadium and many in the Iranian diaspora displayed the pre‑revolution lion‑and‑sun flag or booed the anthem despite FIFA warnings about political displays.
- Iran returns to Los Angeles to face Belgium next, and tournament officials say unresolved visa and accreditation issues could continue to affect the team’s staffing, travel and media access.