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.
Follow all the latest from World Cup 2026 with our live blog below:
Read MoreResilient Iran defy World Cup obstacles to salvage draw against New Zealand
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World Cup 2026 - live updates
- Resilient Iran draw 2-2 with New Zealand in their controversial World Cup opener
- The national anthem booed before kick-off with anti-regime protests held outside the ground
- Iran striker Mohammad Mohebbi defends 'gun' celebration after equalising
- Donald Trump reportedly given permission by Fifa to join winners in World Cup trophy lift
- How a German, Thomas Tuchel, became the perfect man for England's 'impossible job'
Resilient Iran defy World Cup obstacles to salvage draw against New Zealand
08:21 , Luke BakerIran 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:
Resilient Iran defy World Cup obstacles to salvage draw against New Zealand
Iran striker Mohammad Mohebbi defends 'gun' celebration
08:18 , Luke BakerIran'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.”
World Cup 2026 - live
08:12 , Luke BakerGood 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.
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