Iran learns hosting venues at 2026 World Cup
Iran will begin its 2026 World Cup campaign against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, at 21:00 Eastern Time on June 15 next year.
The two-day marathon for the draw of the expanded 48-team tournament – co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada – concluded on Saturday with the announcement of venues and kickoff times for the global showpiece.
The timing of Team Melli’s opener will be disappointing for fans inside Iran, who will have to stay awake into the early hours of Tuesday morning to watch their national team in action.
Iran’s second Group G match will be against European heavyweight Belgium, again at SoFi Stadium, on June 21 at 15:00 Eastern Time.
The team will then travel to Seattle, Washington, to face Egypt in its final group-stage game at Lumen Field on June 26 at 23:00 Eastern Time.
With eight of the third-placed teams across the 12 groups advancing to the round of 32, Iranian supporters will feel optimistic about their team’s chances of securing a first-ever knockout-stage berth at the seventh attempt.
Iran topped Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying to seal a fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, suffering its only defeat in 10 matches in a dead rubber away to Qatar in June.
The opening match of the 23rd World Cup will feature co-host Mexico against South Africa at the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City – the iconic venue of the 1970 and 1986 finals – on June 11.