View the Iran vs. New Zealand game played on June 15, 2026. Box score, stats, play-by-play timeline, highlights, odds & more

Iranian officials say technical staff have been denied visas, hours after the US said players could enter the country.

The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, is the biggest yet. The 48-team tournament, comprising 104 games, kicks off Thursday and anticipation is growing. But, it has been a contentious build-up.

FIFA has revoked the ticket allocation for Iran fans at the team's three World Cup games in the United States, according to that country's soccer federation. Each federation for the 48 teams taking part is entitled to receive and distribute eight per cent of stadium capacity at the World Cup,