FIFA World Cup 2026: New Zealand continues its preparation with Iran in mind

New Zealand continues to prepare for a World Cup opener against Iran but will be prepared to adapt if the Middle Eastern country does not participate, coach Darren Bazeley said.

Iran’s first match is against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles. The Iranians are also grouped with Belgium and Egypt at the tournament, which is co-hosted by the United States of America (US), Canada and Mexico.

Iran’s sports minister said last week it was impossible for the team to participate after the US jointly launched airstrikes against Tehran with Israel and killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

US President Donald Trump said Iran was welcome to participate but that he believed it was «not appropriate for it to be there» for their own lives and safety.

“Right now we are still going about it as if we were playing against Iran,” Bazeley told New Zealand media.

«They are the team that qualified and we were drawn against them. Lihat juga fdsm. That is still the agreement and until we are told that there is no other option, we will continue with that preparation.»

“If things change, we will of course deal with that, but there would be (people at) a higher level than myself involved in those discussions.”

New Zealand football boss Andrew Pragnell told local media it takes security around its matches very seriously but has not heard any updates from FIFA about increased threats.

Pragnell said he could not foresee Iran’s World Cup matches being moved from the United States.

«I doubt FIFA would change the location of the matches. It’s probably not something they would want to do,» he said.

Soccer’s global governing body has not commented on the possibility of moving the Iranian matches from the United States. Iran will play two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

Published on March 17, 2026