Iran’s National Team Arrives in the U.S. for World Cup 2026 Match Against New Zealand

The Iranian national football team has arrived in the United States to participate in the 2026 World Cup, marking the first time since the team’s preparations began for the tournament. They are set to face New Zealand in their opening match of Group E.

Iran will play its matches under special arrangements, as they are required to enter and exit the United States on the same day as their games due to the tournament’s organizational regulations.

The Iranian team is gearing up for their match against New Zealand, which is part of a challenging group that also includes Egypt and Belgium, creating a competitive atmosphere for qualification.

After their arrival in Los Angeles, the team will stay at a hotel amid heightened security measures. The delegation landed at Los Angeles International Airport after traveling from Tijuana, Mexico, where they conducted a preparatory camp following FIFA’s approval to relocate their training base prior to the tournament.

Security Measures in Place

The “Team Melli” delegation was met with significant security presence at their hotel, with authorities closing sidewalks and deploying security personnel to ensure the safety of the team during their stay.

Head coach Amir Ghalenoei and star player Mehdi Taremi are scheduled to hold a press conference approximately 24 hours before the match to discuss the team’s preparations for this highly anticipated encounter.

Match Schedule

The match between Iran and New Zealand is set to take place at 4:00 AM on Tuesday at Sofi Stadium, as part of the first round of group matches.