Iran and New Zealand launch their 2026 World Cup on 16/06 (Tuesday) at Azadi Stadium, 02:00 UK time.
Both nations land at the world's biggest tournament with plenty of recent matches behind them and confidence high heading into this game.
Have a read of our Iran vs New Zealand prediction before you decide on your bet.
Iran vs New Zealand prediction for the 2026 World Cup
Both nations begin their 2026 World Cup here, with no head-to-head history to lean on. For bettors, this is as open as it gets, and the odds mirror that uncertainty.
Take a look at our top Iran vs New Zealand prediction:
BTTS - No
Who are the favourites?
Based on the leading UK-licensed bookmakers, Iran is tipped to come out on top, with 50% of the odds leaning towards their win.
Looking for more? Browse all the World Cup odds and dig into this and other ties from the planet's biggest football tournament.
Iran vs New Zealand: head-to-head
Iran and New Zealand share no recent head-to-head record, so this is effectively their first meeting in years.
Iran: opening the 2026 World Cup
Iran make their FIFA World Cup bow having already logged 19 match(es) in 2026 in the build-up. Here is how they have fared:
13 win(s), 4 draw(s) and 2 loss(es)
44 goals scored (2.32 per game)
15 goals conceded (0.79 per game)
Players to watch for Iran National Team
Leading scorer: Mehdi Taremi with 11 goal(s)
Most assists: Mehdi Taremi with 7
New Zealand: opening the 2026 World Cup
New Zealand step out at the FIFA World Cup for the first time this edition after 11 match(es) in 2026.
Here is the New Zealand National Team record:
This year so far
6 win(s), 1 draw(s) and 4 loss(es)
34 goals scored (3.09 per game)
13 goals conceded (1.18 per game)
Players to watch for New Zealand National Team
Leading scorer: Chris Wood with 9 goal(s)
Most assists: Matthew Garbett with 5
Iran vs New Zealand statistics at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Before you stake anything, look over the side-by-side comparison that sheds light on each nation's current form for this World Cup tie:
Iran vs New Zealand probable lineups
See the likely starting elevens below for our Iran vs New Zealand prediction at the 2026 World Cup.
These lineups are refreshed as kick-off draws nearer.
How to watch Iran vs New Zealand live in the UK
Find out below where you can catch Iran vs New Zealand live during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Just remember, kick-off is at 02:00 UK time.
For the full schedule, check our our World Cup live streaming page.
More betting tips for this match
Alongside the main tip given at the top of this article, here are some other strong bets for Iran vs New Zealand:
Further 2026 World Cup predictions
Browse all of our 2026 FIFA World Cup predictions and keep up with the sharpest analysis from start to finish of the tournament.
Match details: Iran vs New Zealand
🆚 Fixture Iran vs New Zealand
🏆 Tournament 2026 FIFA World Cup
📅 Date Tuesday, 16/06/2026
🕐 Kick-off 02:00 UK time
🏟️ Venue Azadi Stadium,
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Sports betting analyst with over 15 years of experience. At APWin, he writes football predictions, reviews bookmakers and explains the reasoning behind every bet.