Mehdi Taremi led Iran into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand, a result built on goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi. Iran left Group G with a point, but the draw also dropped its travel problem into the middle of the tournament story.
Taremi Leads Iran
The captain fronts a 26-man roster that mixes veterans from previous World Cups with players across Europe, the Middle East and the Iranian Pro League. Taremi, the Olympiacos striker, is the squad’s most accomplished attacker, and Iran leaned on that experience as it opened against New Zealand.
Iran’s scorers were Rezaeian and Mohebi. Mohebi, who plays for FC Rostov in Russia, gave the team another direct threat from open play, while the point kept Iran alive in Group G after one match.
Travel Rules For Iran
The Iranian Football Federation has criticized restrictions that require the team to travel to U.S. host cities only one day before matches. That setup leaves Iran with a compressed match-week rhythm at the same time it is trying to manage a group that still includes Belgium and Egypt.
Amir Ghalenoei said after the draw that Iran was perhaps "the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup." His complaint goes beyond inconvenience. A one-day arrival window cuts into routine, recovery and the sort of settling time teams normally use before a match in the U.S.
Iran still has a route out of Group G. A positive result against Belgium would significantly strengthen its chances before the final group-stage meeting with Egypt in Seattle on June 26, and the draw with New Zealand keeps that path open rather than sealed.
Belgium And Egypt
That is the practical question now for Iran: whether the squad can turn a point from its opener into enough margin before Seattle. Taremi remains the anchor, the travel rules remain fixed, and the next two games will decide whether the opening draw becomes a platform or a missed chance.
