Iran are readying for their opening match of the World Cup 2026 after an incident heavy build-up to the tournament. Iran will face New Zealand in Group G hoping to secure a win and move to the top of the table after Belgium and Egypt played out an earlier 1-1 draw. Iran’s captain Mehdi Taremi has criticised Fifa for the impact that his nation’s war with the US has had on preparations with the team having been forced to move their base to Mexico amid visa issues plaguing members of their delegation and travelling fans being stripped of match tickets. Iranian protesters have also vowed to disrupt the match to show their displeasure at the brutal ruling regime, with plans to boo the anthem and turn their backs to display currently prohibited pre-revolutionary flags. If that happens, there is a chance the match could be halted, with Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei under specific instructions from the country’s government to stop play if pre-revolutionary flags are brandished or if negative chanting is audible.This match is more than just the action on the pitch especially following Donald Trump’s announcement of a US-Iran peace agreement. Yet the players will need to distance themselves from outside noise and pressures to perform at their best. Follow all of the latest from Iran v New Zealand with our live blog below:Tonight's gamesIran face New Zealand in the final game of the day (from the US anyway), with that match kicking off at 2am BST in LA. Chris Wilson16 June 2026 00:28Romelu Lukaku proves key as Belgium salvage point against EgyptRomelu Lukuku shrugged off fitness concerns to help spare Belgium’s embarrassment as they fought back for a 1-1 draw against Egypt in their opening match of the World Cup in Seattle.Lukaku, his country’s record goalscorer, was introduced in the 66th minute and within seconds was involved in the move that saw Mohamed Hany prod in an own goal to bring the two-time semi-finalists back on level terms.Mike Jones16 June 2026 00:22Ange Postecoglou hails Cape Verde after shock point against SpainFormer Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou paid tribute to Cape Verde after the African minnows held European champions Spain to a battling goalless draw in their Group H opener in Atlanta.Luis De La Fuente’s team could find no way through their opponents’ resolute rearguard and even the introduction of Lamine Yamal with 20 minutes remaining could not stop their opponents claiming an historic point.Postecoglou told ITV: “The greatest in sport and in football lies in the intangibles and there was something inside those Cape Verde players that wasn’t going to let them yield today.“We sat here and analysed the teams and you say, well, Spain should really win this comfortably, but we don’t have what they have inside them, in their hearts. There’s a small nation of people now who proudly say, ‘I’m from Cape Verde’, and there’s a recognition from everyone in the world of who they are.”(Reuters)Harry Latham-Coyle16 June 2026 00:05From Tennessee to rural West Virginia: The unlikely homes of World Cup teamsPerched precariously on a fence for over three hours, eight-year-old Beckham clutched a handwritten note, his gaze fixed on the horizon in Chattanooga, Tennessee, awaiting the arrival of Spain’s national football team.Addressed to stars Pedri and Lamine Yamal, his message read: "I love you and I look up to you. Thanks for coming to my city. I hope you win the World Cup."Mike Jones15 June 2026 23:49Ousmane Dembele backed to bring PSG form to national teamDidier Deschamps has backed Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele to play a key role in France’s quest for further World Cup glory.Paris Saint-Germain forward Dembele claimed the prestigious award last September and has since gone on to win a second successive Champions League with his club.The 29-year-old is yet to make the same individual impact at international level, scoring only seven goals in 59 caps since his debut a decade ago.France begin their Group I campaign on Tuesday against Senegal in New Jersey.Les Bleus are bidding to reclaim the World Cup following an agonising penalty shoot-out defeat to Argentina in the 2022 final after lifting the trophy in 2018.“He started early with the national team, but he’s also had quite a few setbacks due to injuries,” manager Deschamps said of Dembele, according to L’Equipe. “At club level, there are matches every three days, and this Ballon d’Or, which he deserves, has brought him into the spotlight.“He’s focused like everyone else, with the desire to be good and decisive, as he is quite regularly with PSG, even though this season he’s had physical problems that have led him to miss quite a few matches. We’ve given him time, both physically and mentally, to put the Champions League final behind him and move on. But with Ousmane at his best, it will be a real asset for the French national team.”Mike Jones15 June 2026 23:29Kylian Mbappe promises to increase defensive outputKylian Mbappe has vowed to increase his defensive effort following criticism that he doesn’t help out enough in his own half.According to Opta, the Real Madrid star ranked 1,350th out of 1,490 players in Europe's big five leagues (England, Spain, France, Italy and Germany) with a minimum of 19 league appearances, for combined interceptions, blocks, tackles made and possession won.And he only managed 0.14 tackles per 90 minutes - the fifth lowest in the rankings.Speaking to French newspaper La Parisien, Mbappe said: “I need to take the extra step [with my defensive work] because it's something important for the team and I have to do it.“It will start this time because we want to win, and to win, I'm ready to do whatever because I want to win at all costs.”(Reuters)Mike Jones15 June 2026 23:09Potter delighted with Isak-Gyokeres combinationSweden coach Graham ​Potter was impressed by the chemistry between strikers Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres after they tore Tunisia’s defence to shreds in a 5-1 victory in their World Cup ⁠opener.Both players scored a ​goal ⁠and created a host of other chances as the Swedes cruised to victory.“Individually, of course, they are top players but I think together they can be a real threat,” said Potter after the game.“I think they’ll get better and better the more they play; they complement each other very well. I’m really pleased. We know the quality of the individuals in the front positions but they needed a team to function.”Mike Jones15 June 2026 22:51Nico O'Reilly wants England to start 'all guns blazing'Speaking of Nico O’Reilly, he wants England to start their World Cup campaign “all guns blazing” against Croatia.Thomas Tuchel’s men are stepping up preparations for Wednesday’s Group L opener in Dallas having arrived at their Kansas City base following a warm-weather camp in Florida.England are among the favourites for glory this summer and O’Reilly wants them to kick off their World Cup campaign with a statement win against 2018 World Cup semi-final foes Croatia on Wednesday.“We’ve been acclimatising to the heat, a lot of training and then with the two games where everyone got some minutes,” the Manchester City player said.“In a way (it’s been like a pre-season) but it’s been intense. Obviously, we need to get ready for the tournament, and it’s been good. I think we just need to go out there all guns blazing and show them what we’re made of.”Mike Jones15 June 2026 22:30Gareth Southgate turned down TV work to ‘keep out of the way’Former England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed he turned down offers for World Cup television work, opting instead to “keep out of the way” to avoid distracting the national team.This summer's 48-team competition in North America marks the first World Cup since 1994 that Southgate will not be directly involved, following his successful tenure which saw England reach a World Cup semi-final and quarter-final, alongside back-to-back European Championship finals before his departure after Euro 2024.Explaining his decision in an Instagram video, Southgate highlighted his extensive history with the tournament. “This is obviously a very different tournament for me this one, I have been at the last seven World Cups as a player, as a broadcaster, as a scout and then as a manager,” he said.“This time I took a conscious decision not to do the TV. I didn’t think it would be helpful for me to be talking about the team.”He further elaborated on his desire to prevent any potential misinterpretations. "I don’t want anything to be misconstrued or thrown at them in press conferences. So, best for me to keep out of the way.”(PA)Mike Jones15 June 2026 22:11Josko Gvardiol set to extend stay at Manchester City for post-Pep Guardiola eraThe Croatia international’s future had been in some doubt amid interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich but will commit his future to City.Richard Jolly15 June 2026 21:53