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How to watch Iran vs New Zealand: live stream the World Cup 2026 Group G match on June 15th from anywhere


Iran and New Zealand open their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G campaigns at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles, on Monday, June 15th. Both sides are kicking off their World Cup journey knowing a strong start could prove decisive in a group that also contains Belgium and Egypt. Iran enters as the clear favorites, ranked 20th in the world, while the All Whites are back at their third-ever World Cup after qualifying by beating New Caledonia in August 2025, and they will look to cause an upset in front of a huge Los Angeles crowd.

All 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches are free with a VPN

Every match streams live and free in English on BBC iPlayer and ITVX in the UK and on SBS On Demand in Australia. These broadcasters geo-block streams outside their home country, so you need a VPN to watch from abroad. We recommend NordVPN for reliable unblocking, fast HD streaming, and broad device support across all three broadcasters.

The match kicks off at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, United States. Kickoff is at 6:00 pm PDT / 9:00 pm ET / 2:00 am BST (June 16th) / 3:00 am CEST (June 16th). Fans in the UK can catch the match free on BBC iPlayer or ITVX, and viewers in New Zealand can watch free on TVNZ. However, note that these services are geo-restricted, so you will need a VPN if you are watching from outside those countries.

Where to watch Iran vs New Zealand

CountryStreaming servicePriceLocal kickoff timeNotes
United StatesFox Sports 1 / TubiPaid / Free VOD6:00 PM PDT / 9:00 PM ETTubi: VOD, 30 min after live
United States (Spanish)Telemundo / PeacockFree OTA / Paid6:00 PM PDT / 9:00 PM ETPeacock streams all 104 matches
CanadaCTV / TSNFree / Paid9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PTCTV free ~half; TSN paid full coverage
MexicoTV Azteca / ViXFree / Paid8:00 PM CDTTV Azteca free OTA
IranIRIBFree3:30 AM IRST (Jun 16)Persian commentary, geo-blocked abroad
New ZealandTVNZFree11:00 AM NZST (Jun 16)Free TVNZ account required, geo-blocked abroad
United KingdomBBC iPlayer / ITVXFree2:00 AM BST (Jun 16)Per-match split – check schedule, free account required
AustraliaSBS On DemandFree11:00 AM AEST (Jun 16)All 104 matches, free SBS account required
MENAbeIN Sports / TOD by beINPaidVaries by countryFrom $14.99/month on TOD by beIN

How to use a VPN to watch the World Cup 2026 for free

fifa world cup 2026 supporting image
  1. Choose a reliable VPN. I recommend NordVPN, now with 75% OFF
  2. Download the VPN and create an account
  3. Connect to a server in the UK or Australia for a free English broadcast
  4. Go to the broadcaster's website and start streaming the matches
Tip: use a UK postcode if prompted

BBC iPlayer and ITVX may ask for a UK postcode when you sign up. Any real UK postcode works — try SW1A 1AA (Buckingham Palace) or EC1A 1BB (City of London).

Iran vs New Zealand live coverage

1 minute ago

Iran's Ghayedi Whistled for Late Foul

Mehdi Ghayedi of Iran is flagged for a foul late on. New Zealand gets a chance to advance, adding more tension to these wild closing moments!

1 minute ago

Alipour Wins Iran Free Kick in Defense

Ali Alipour earns a vital free kick for Iran in their defensive half. Strategic play as Iran seeks to hold their ground against the New Zealand push.

1 minute ago

Ryan Thomas Commits Foul in Midfield Battle

Ryan Thomas of New Zealand is penalized for a foul as both teams go all in during the dying moments. The intensity is sky-high as the match nears its end!

1 minute ago

Bindon Given Defensive Free Kick for Kiwis

New Zealand’s Tyler Bindon is awarded a free kick deep in their own half. A chance to reset and push forward as extra time ticks by in this tense finish!

1 minute ago

Iran Earns Late Corner After Elliot Clearance

Pressure mounts as Iran wins a late corner! Callan Elliot concedes, giving Iran a golden chance to swing the ball in as the match nears the final whistle.

1 minute ago

Beiranvand Shuts Out Wood's Late Header

Unbelievable save! Wood almost snatches a goal with a header from Randall’s cross, but Beiranvand leaps to keep it out. New Zealand getting desperate as the clock winds down!

1 minute ago

Wood's Close Header Stopped by Beiranvand

Iran breathes a sigh of relief as Chris Wood's powerful header is brilliantly denied by Beiranvand! Randall delivers a sweet cross, but New Zealand can't break the deadlock in added time.

3 minutes ago

Randall Swaps in for Singh for Kiwis

Another late switch for the Kiwis—Jesse Randall jumps in for Sarpreet Singh as New Zealand look for a strong finish versus Iran!

3 minutes ago

Bindon Replaces Stamenic Late for New Zealand

Fresh legs for New Zealand! Tyler Bindon heads onto the pitch, taking over from Marko Stamenic in the final moments against Iran.

5 minutes ago

Five More Minutes in Iran-New Zealand Thriller!

The drama’s not over yet—five minutes added on! Iran and New Zealand fans, hold your breath as we head into a tense stoppage time finish!

5 minutes ago

Hajisafi Sees Yellow for Iran

Ehsan Hajisafi gets booked for Iran after a tough foul! The referee isn't letting anything slip in these tense final moments against New Zealand.

33 minutes ago

Mohebbi Levels for Iran with Header

What a moment! Mohammad Mohebbi rises high in the box and nods it home, bringing Iran level at 2-2 against New Zealand. Game on in this thrilling contest!

41 minutes ago

Elijah Just Fires New Zealand Ahead!

What a counter from New Zealand! Elijah Just finds the net from the right side of the box, putting New Zealand up 2-1 against Iran. The match just got even more exciting!

1 hour ago

Iran Attack Halted by Offside Flag

The action is interrupted as Ali Nemati from Iran is caught offside! New Zealand’s defense holds strong for now.

1 hour ago

Nemati Offside Halts Iran Attack

Iran’s forward momentum is stopped as Ali Nemati gets caught offside. New Zealand breathes a sigh of relief as play is pulled back.

1 hour ago

Taremi Wins Dangerous Free Kick for Iran

Iran on the attack! Mehdi Taremi earns his team a valuable free kick in the final third. Set-piece opportunity for Iran right before halftime!

1 hour ago

Elijah Just Foul in Stoppage Time

Elijah Just from New Zealand gets flagged for a foul deep in stoppage time! Tensions rising as Iran prepare their next move.

1 hour ago

Moghanloo Heads Just Wide for Iran

What a chance for Iran! Shahriyar Moghanloo rises in the box and heads Arya Yousefi’s cross just over the top right corner. So close to taking the lead before halftime in this tight clash against New Zealand!

1 hour ago

Six Added Minutes in First Half!

Hold onto your seats! The fourth official signals six more minutes to play in the first half. Both Iran and New Zealand have extra time to make something happen before halftime!

1 hour ago

McCowatt's Long-Range Shot Stopped!

Callum McCowatt tests Iran with a powerful left-footed strike from distance, but the keeper is up to the task and makes the save. Iran stands strong just before the break!

1 hour ago

Wood's Long Shot Stopped by Beiranvand

Chris Wood fires a powerful right-footed effort from distance for New Zealand, but Iran's Alireza Beiranvand dives to block the ball low in the corner! Great save to keep things level.

1 hour ago

Rezaeian Brings Iran Level!

Iran are back in it! Ramin Rezaeian nets an equalizer with a sharp right-footed strike from the heart of the box. It’s all square now between Iran and New Zealand, with both teams hungry for more!

1 hour ago

Elijah Just Strikes—New Zealand Up Early!

GOAL for New Zealand! Elijah Just finds the net from the center of the box, putting his team 1-0 ahead against Iran. What an explosive start—Kiwis take the early lead!

2 hours ago

New Zealand’s Starting XI Revealed!

The New Zealand lineup is out! Crocombe holds the gloves, with Boxall, Payne, and Surman at the back. Midfield power from Bell, Stamenic, and Garbett, while up front it’s Singh, Just, Wood, and Cacace leading the attack. Let’s see what the Kiwis have in store!

2 hours ago

Iran Reveals Starting XI for Kickoff

The Iranian national team has announced their starting lineup! Beiranvand, Khalilzadeh, Mohammadi, Ezatolahi, Mohebi, Taremi, Ghayedi, Ghoddos, Yousefi, Hosseinzadeh, and Nemati are ready to take the field. The fans can't wait to see how this squad performs right from the opening whistle!

4 hours ago

Iran vs New Zealand: Live Action Begins!

Hey sports fans! We’re gearing up for the clash between Iran and New Zealand. Stay tuned for all the live updates, big moments, and behind-the-scenes action as it unfolds right here on the blog!

Why you need a VPN to watch Iran vs New Zealand

FIFA licenses World Cup broadcasting rights on a country-by-country basis, which means free services like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, TVNZ, and SBS On Demand automatically block streams for anyone connecting from outside their home country.

bbc iplayer error when accessed from US

A VPN changes your virtual location so the broadcaster sees you as a local viewer, unlocking the free stream. It also lets travelers and expats keep access to paid subscriptions – including Fox Sports, TSN, beIN Sports, and IRIB – while abroad. See our guide to the best VPNs for streaming for a full breakdown of your options.

watching world cup sbs on demand
World Cup 2026 streaming hub on SBS on demand

How to watch Iran vs New Zealand free with a VPN – detailed guide

Step 1: get a reliable VPN

NordVPN is our recommended VPN for streaming the World Cup 2026, starting from $3.49/month on its 2-year plan (check NordVPN.com for current promos). It runs thousands of servers across 224 locations, delivers 86% NordLynx speed retention for uninterrupted HD streaming. It reliably unblocks BBC iPlayer, ITVX, SBS On Demand, and every other major World Cup broadcaster. Smart DNS support means you can also use it on smart TVs that don't support native VPN apps. A 30-day money-back guarantee covers you if anything goes wrong. Read our full NordVPN review for the complete breakdown.

NordVPN download page

Step 2: install the VPN app

Download and install NordVPN on your preferred device. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, and Apple TV. One subscription covers up to 10 devices simultaneously.

Step 3: connect to a server in the UK or Australia

Open the app and connect to a United Kingdom server to unlock BBC iPlayer or ITVX, or select Australia to stream via SBS On Demand. New Zealand fans can connect to a New Zealand server to access TVNZ for free. For guidance on switching locations, see how to change your location with a VPN.

Nordvpn UK server

Step 4: open the broadcaster

Go to BBC iPlayer or ITVX and sign in with a free account. During registration, you will need a valid UK postcode – any postcode works (e.g., SW1A 1AA for central London). For Australia, head to SBS On Demand and create a free SBS account.

Step 5: start the Iran vs New Zealand match

Find the World Cup section and start the Iran vs New Zealand live stream. If the stream buffers, try switching to a different server in the same country – NordVPN's app makes this quick and straightforward.

How to watch Iran vs New Zealand on different devices

DeviceBBC iPlayer / ITVXFox Sports 1SBS On DemandNordVPN
Windows / MacYesYes (foxsports.com)YesYes
iPhone / iPadYes (app)Yes (app)Yes (app)Yes (app)
AndroidYes (app)Yes (app)Yes (app)Yes (app)
Samsung Smart TVYes (app)Yes (via cable/vMVPD)Yes (app)Smart DNS / router
LG Smart TVYes (app)Yes (via cable/vMVPD)Yes (app)Smart DNS / router
Amazon Fire TVYes (app)Yes (app)Yes (app)Yes (app)
Apple TVYes (app)Yes (app)Yes (app)Yes (app)
ChromecastCast from browserCast from browserCast from appUse on casting device

For Smart TV users, Samsung Tizen and LG webOS devices do not support native VPN apps. Use NordVPN's Smart DNS feature – available in the NordVPN account dashboard – to unblock BBC iPlayer and SBS without installing anything on the TV itself.

Alternatively, set up NordVPN on your router so that every device on your network automatically connects to the VPN. Casting from a VPN-connected phone or laptop to a Chromecast-enabled TV is the simplest workaround if Smart DNS is not available on your platform.

Iran vs New Zealand match preview

Historical review

Iran and New Zealand have met just twice in their history, with Iran holding the upper hand: a 0-0 draw in 1973 and a 3-0 Iran victory in 2003. Their all-time H2H record stands at 1 win, 1 draw, 0 losses in Iran's favor.

There is no World Cup meeting between these two sides on record, making June 15th a historic first.

Current form

Iran arrives in Los Angeles as the 20th-ranked team in the world and one of the stronger Asian representatives at this tournament. Team Melli qualified comfortably through the Asian section and entered the group stage with genuine ambitions of reaching the knockout rounds.

New Zealand, the All Whites, made it through the OFC qualifier by defeating New Caledonia 3-0 in August 2025 and are appearing at their third-ever World Cup – a significant milestone for New Zealand football.

Team news

Iran's squad for the World Cup 2026 includes goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, captain Ehsan Hajsafi, and forward Mehdi Taremi, who is the team's most dangerous attacking threat.

New Zealand's key man is striker Chris Wood, who plays at the highest level of European club football and is the All Whites' all-time leading scorer. New Zealand also includes Liberato Cacace and Tyler Bindon (Nottingham Forest) in defense.

Tournament context

Both teams open Group G on June 15th, alongside Belgium and Egypt. Group G is widely regarded as a difficult draw for New Zealand, and a positive result against Iran would represent a major statement of intent. For Iran, anything less than three points against the lowest-ranked team in the group would put immediate pressure on their qualification prospects.

FAQ