By Rory CarrollLOS ANGELES, June 13 (Reuters) - Iran open their World Cup Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday in a match shaped as much by events off the pitch as by the ambitions of two teams seeking a long-awaited breakthrough.The fixture will be played against the backdrop of the U.S. war with Iran and in a region home to the largest Iranian community outside the country, adding a charged atmosphere to a contest between two nations who have never met at the World Cup.

Flag bans, travel headaches and a religious regime video among bumps in road, as team prepares to be first to play in country with which it is at war

By Rory CarrollLOS ANGELES, June 13 (Reuters) - Iran open their World Cup Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday in a match shaped as much by events off the…

LOS ANGELES/TIJUANA, Mexico, June 14 : Iran's soccer team arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday after a short flight from Tijuana, Mexico, where they left their…

By Herbert VillarragaLOS ANGELES/TIJUANA, Mexico, June 14 (Reuters) - Iran's soccer team arrived in the United States for the first time this World Cup on Sunday, landing at Los…

INGLEWOOD, California, June 14 : New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley brushed aside the political backdrop to his side's World Cup opener against Iran on Monday, saying his players…

Iran's football team touched down at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday afternoon, landing just hours before a peace deal between the US and Iran was formally announced.…

Iran faces New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group G opener on June 15. Preview includes predictions, key players, and betting odds.

Protests and tension threatened to turn match into political flashpoint

Iran arrive in Los Angeles for World Cup opener amid a new US-Iran peace deal, visa issues and political protests ahead of their match vs New Zealand.

As Iran play New Zealand in Los Angeles, Iranian Americans are divided between stadium protests and watch parties, reflecting deep political and diaspora tensions.

Iran will kick off their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in the early hours of Tuesday morning amid a scarcely believable backdrop of war with the host nation

Iran is beginning its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles after being forced to train in Tijuana, with players allowed into the US only for matches and many…

A divisive collision of geopolitics and sports is playing out in a community with emotional ties to two countries at war, setting the stage for drama and protest that will go…

Everything you need to know ahead of Iran’s controversial World Cup opener

In the early hours of Tuesday, June 16, the national football teams of Iran and New Zealand will face off in their opening Group G match ...

L'équipe d'Iran entre en lice face à la Nouvelle-Zélande, lundi à Los Angeles.

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei and star forward Mehdi Taremi insisted their squad will be playing for all Iranians at the FIFA World Cup

It was raining goals on Sunday with Germany and Sweden both impressing with big wins. Today, though, soccer takes somewhat of a backseat with Iran set to play its first match of…

LOS ANGELES, June 15 : The Iran soccer team were preparing to play their first match at this year's World Cup in Los Angeles on Monday, with protests expected by the city's large…

After uncertainty over their participation and a disrupted build-up, Iran are set to begin their World Cup campaign.