William Hill News provide their best World Cup 2026 bets and predictions ahead of the Group G fixture involving Iran and New Zealand in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Iran and New Zealand meet in their first ever World Cup clash on Monday night in Los Angeles, and it feels like the kind of opener that can quietly shape a group.
Belgium and Egypt are the headline football betting names in Group G, but both sides know three points here would give the whole campaign a much cleaner look.
Iran vs New Zealand Best Bets:
- Both teams to score – 19/20
- Both teams to score and match to end a draw – 9/2
- Match to end 1-1 – 11/2
Iran arrive with proper World Cup pedigree and a qualification run that was built on control and consistency. They lost only one of their 16 qualifying matches and booked a seventh appearance at the finals, which is a strong marker of how hard they are to play against when they settle into their structure.
New Zealand bring a different energy. This is their third World Cup and their first since 2010, and they come in after a flawless Oceania campaign in which they won all five qualifiers, scored 29 goals and conceded just once.
That tells you they can dominate weaker opposition, but this opener asks a very different question: can they do it against a disciplined side with far more big-tournament experience?
The contrast is simple enough. Iran usually want control without fuss, while New Zealand are at their best when they can turn games direct and physical. That should give the match a clear shape early on, with Iran likely comfortable letting New Zealand work harder for territory and chances.
Iran’s pathway in recent months has been complicated, but the football side still looks solid. They have built their qualifying success on compact defending, pressure in midfield and the kind of attacking quality that can punish any lapse. New Zealand, by contrast, will need to keep their shape for long stretches and avoid the loose moments that invite pressure.
Chris Wood is the obvious focal point for the All Whites. At 34, and with 45 goals in 88 caps, he remains the player Iran will be most conscious of in both boxes. If New Zealand are going to nick something, he is the most likely route, whether that is from a cross, a second ball or a set piece.
Iran’s edge is in depth and familiarity at this level. Mehdi Taremi is the obvious threat in attack, while Alireza Beiranvand offers experience in goal and Shoja Khalilzadeh brings leadership at the back. If they manage the tempo properly, they should be able to control enough of the match to ask the sharper questions.
Iran v New Zealand Match Odds:
- Iran – 3/4
- Draw – 5/2
- New Zealand – 18/5
New Zealand’s 26-man squad, named by Darren Bazeley on 14 May, includes a mix of overseas-based players and familiar domestic faces.
Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen and Michael Woud are the goalkeeping options, while the back line features Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Liberato Cacace, Tim Payne, Nando Pijnaker and Finn Surman.
The most important attacking detail for New Zealand is that Wood is fit and ready to lead the line. He will need support from players such as Matthew Garbett, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenić and Joe Bell if New Zealand are to turn long spells without the ball into something meaningful when they do break forward.
Iran’s reported projected XI points to Beiranvand in goal, with Yousefi, Khalilzadeh, Nemati and Mohammadi across the defence, Ezatolahi, Ghoddos and Mohebi in midfield, and Ghayedi, Taremi and Hosseinzadeh up front.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh was flagged as a fitness concern in the build-up, so his status is the main selection doubt hanging over Iran.
That gives Iran the more settled look, and in a game like this that usually matters. New Zealand can make life awkward, especially if they keep the contest tight into the second half, but they may struggle if Iran get the first goal and force them into a more open chase.
New Zealand have the spirit and the physical tools to make this competitive, and Wood gives them a real chance of landing a punch if Iran switch off. Iran still look stronger overall, though, with more proven tournament quality and enough attacking talent to make the difference.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
