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Iran begin fraught World Cup with 2-2 New Zealand draw

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New Zealand defender Callan Elliot and Iran's Milad Mohammadi fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group G match at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 15, 2026. [Frederic J. Brown / AFP]

Iran twice battled back for a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday in their frenetic opening match of a World Cup campaign that has been utterly overshadowed by war, politics and protests.

The Iranian team's very presence at the Los Angeles Stadium had long felt uncertain, after months of military conflict between their nation and the United States.

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