Blab Sports
New Zealand Opens Group G Against Iran as 2026 World Cup Begins
The 48‑team World Cup is set to launch on 11 June in Mexico City, but for the All Whites the real countdown starts a day later. On 16 June at 1 pm New Zealand Time (NZT), the national side will take on Iran at Seattle’s Lumen Field, one of three West‑Coast venues slated to host Group G action.
The 2026 edition expands the tournament to 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver will stage all Group G games, while Dallas, Houston, Toronto and Montreal will host fixtures for other groups. The new format introduces 12 groups of four, a first for the World Cup, and the top two teams from each group will advance to a 32‑team knockout stage that kicks off on 28 June.
Group G features Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. The All Whites’ opener comes against Iran, followed by a second match against Egypt in Vancouver on 22 June. Belgium will face Iran in Los Angeles on 15 June, and the remaining Group G games—Belgium versus New Zealand and Egypt versus Iran—will take place in Seattle and Vancouver between 23 and 26 June.
New Zealand has qualified for every World Cup since 2010, making 2026 its fourth consecutive appearance. Iran, meanwhile, has earned seven berths—1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022 and the current edition—but has never progressed beyond the group stage.
The RNZ is inviting Kiwi fans traveling to the United States, Canada or Mexico to share their experiences. By collecting photos, videos, stories and any news tips, the broadcaster aims to paint a comprehensive New Zealand perspective of the tournament. Fans are also asked to report any immigration or visa issues they encounter.
To contribute, supporters should email iwitness@rnz.co.nz. The email should include: 1. Where the fan is travelling and which matches or events they are attending. 2. Photos, videos or stories that illustrate the fan experience. 3. Any news tips, first‑person encounters or observations. 4. Details of any immigration or visa problems. 5. The fan’s name and a contact number.
This call is part of RNZ’s effort to provide a ground‑level view of the World Cup for New Zealand audiences. By gathering firsthand accounts, the broadcaster hopes to highlight logistical challenges, cultural moments and sporting excitement that will unfold over the 39‑day tournament.
The 2026 World Cup will run until 19 July, with the knockout stages beginning on 28 June. The expansion to 48 teams means that the group stage will feature 12 groups of four teams each, and the top two teams from each group will advance to the round of 32. The All Whites’ performance against Iran will therefore be crucial for their chances of progressing.
The match against Iran will be televised worldwide and streamed on FIFA’s official platforms. Fans in New Zealand can watch the game live on the local time of 1 pm NZT, which corresponds to 9 am UTC.
As the tournament progresses, RNZ will continue to collect and publish stories from New Zealand fans. The broadcaster’s call for contributions is open until the end of the group stage, giving supporters ample time to share their experiences.
In summary, the 2026 FIFA World Cup offers a historic moment for New Zealand football. The All Whites’ first Group G match against Iran on 16 June in Seattle is a key fixture, and RNZ is actively seeking fan input to capture the event’s impact from a Kiwi viewpoint. Fans who are travelling to the United States, Canada or Mexico are encouraged to email iwitness@rnz.co.nz with their stories, photos and any visa or immigration details.
The tournament will continue to unfold over the next month, with New Zealand’s next match against Egypt on 22 June in Vancouver. The outcome of these games will determine whether the All Whites advance to the knockout stage and how they will position themselves in the broader context of the 48‑team World Cup.
The 2026 edition expands the tournament to 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver will stage all Group G games, while Dallas, Houston, Toronto and Montreal will host fixtures for other groups. The new format introduces 12 groups of four, a first for the World Cup, and the top two teams from each group will advance to a 32‑team knockout stage that kicks off on 28 June.
Group G features Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. The All Whites’ opener comes against Iran, followed by a second match against Egypt in Vancouver on 22 June. Belgium will face Iran in Los Angeles on 15 June, and the remaining Group G games—Belgium versus New Zealand and Egypt versus Iran—will take place in Seattle and Vancouver between 23 and 26 June.
New Zealand has qualified for every World Cup since 2010, making 2026 its fourth consecutive appearance. Iran, meanwhile, has earned seven berths—1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022 and the current edition—but has never progressed beyond the group stage.
The RNZ is inviting Kiwi fans traveling to the United States, Canada or Mexico to share their experiences. By collecting photos, videos, stories and any news tips, the broadcaster aims to paint a comprehensive New Zealand perspective of the tournament. Fans are also asked to report any immigration or visa issues they encounter.
To contribute, supporters should email iwitness@rnz.co.nz. The email should include: 1. Where the fan is travelling and which matches or events they are attending. 2. Photos, videos or stories that illustrate the fan experience. 3. Any news tips, first‑person encounters or observations. 4. Details of any immigration or visa problems. 5. The fan’s name and a contact number.
This call is part of RNZ’s effort to provide a ground‑level view of the World Cup for New Zealand audiences. By gathering firsthand accounts, the broadcaster hopes to highlight logistical challenges, cultural moments and sporting excitement that will unfold over the 39‑day tournament.
The 2026 World Cup will run until 19 July, with the knockout stages beginning on 28 June. The expansion to 48 teams means that the group stage will feature 12 groups of four teams each, and the top two teams from each group will advance to the round of 32. The All Whites’ performance against Iran will therefore be crucial for their chances of progressing.
The match against Iran will be televised worldwide and streamed on FIFA’s official platforms. Fans in New Zealand can watch the game live on the local time of 1 pm NZT, which corresponds to 9 am UTC.
As the tournament progresses, RNZ will continue to collect and publish stories from New Zealand fans. The broadcaster’s call for contributions is open until the end of the group stage, giving supporters ample time to share their experiences.
In summary, the 2026 FIFA World Cup offers a historic moment for New Zealand football. The All Whites’ first Group G match against Iran on 16 June in Seattle is a key fixture, and RNZ is actively seeking fan input to capture the event’s impact from a Kiwi viewpoint. Fans who are travelling to the United States, Canada or Mexico are encouraged to email iwitness@rnz.co.nz with their stories, photos and any visa or immigration details.
The tournament will continue to unfold over the next month, with New Zealand’s next match against Egypt on 22 June in Vancouver. The outcome of these games will determine whether the All Whites advance to the knockout stage and how they will position themselves in the broader context of the 48‑team World Cup.
