World Cup 2026 Odds, Prediction: Iran vs. New Zealand Betting Picks
A Group G pseudo-elimination match is already taking place Monday night in Inglewood, California, at 9 p.m. ET as Iran battles New Zealand.
The Iranians are making their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, and seventh overall, while New Zealand is in the World Cup for the first time since 2010 and for the third time in its history.
Iran is the 21st-ranked team in the world, well above the All Whites, but geopolitical affairs have once again added unnecessary stress to the team’s preparation.
For New Zealand, the only unbeaten team (0-3-0) at the 2010 World Cup, this tournament is about taking the next step in what could be Chris Wood’s only appearance.
Check out our full list of live 2026 World Cup betting odds.
Iran vs. New Zealand World Cup: How to Watch and Match Info
- Time: Monday, June 15, 2026, 9 p.m. ET
- Stadium: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
- Channel: TSN
- Weather: Partly cloudy with light rains, 18-23° C.
Iran vs. New Zealand Betting Odds
The Persians enter as a moderate favourite with a -120 moneyline, with New Zealand the underdogs at +375. The draw is priced around +240. The total is set at 2.5 goals, with the Under heavily favoured at -175. If you are confident in a defensive struggle, you can take the Under at 1.5 goals for around +170.
Iran vs. New Zealand predicted starting XI lineups
Iran (4-2-3-1):
Beiranvand; Moharrami, Hosseini, Pouraliganj, Mohammadi, Ezatolahi, Noorollahi, Gholizadeh, Jahanbakhsh; Karimi, Taremi
New Zealand (4-4-2):
Crocombe, Bindon, Boxall, Surman, Cacace, Bell, Just, Stamenic, Singh, Waine, Wood
Iran FIFA World Cup Odds and News
Iran remains one of Asia’s strongest sides and arrives at this tournament after a solid qualifying run. Mehdi Taremi, who had a brace against England in Qatar and another one in a 5-0 thrashing of Costa Rica in a March friendly, is the main scoring threat.
Ali Jahanbakhsh and Ali Gholizadeh will also be asked to shoulder much of the offensive burden after 31-year-old Sardar Azmoun, who has 57 goals in 91 international appearances, was dismissed from the team in March for political reasons.
The team is a long shot at +600 to win Group G, behind Belgium and Egypt. But it is -200 to get out of the group, the first time the Persians would do so.
New Zealand FIFA World Cup Odds and News
Wood, the All Whites’ all-time leading scorer with 45 goals in 88 caps, leads the team into its first World Cup in 16 years, but recent results have tainted the excitement a bit.
A 1-0 setback to England, one of the World Cup favourites, last week in Tampa, is fine. A 4-0 thumping by Haiti, in Fort Lauderdale at the start of the month, is not.
Wood, currently with Nottingham Forest, brings a long, successful Premier League pedigree with him. The majority of his teammates do not. Joe Bell and Marko Stamenic are two exciting midfielders to watch, while Liberato Cacace is a dynamic left back.
Kosta Barbarouses, Elijah Just, Jesse Randall, and Ben Waine all scored in a 4-1 triumph over Chile in March, the All Whites’ first-ever victory over a South American side.
Iran vs. New Zealand player Odds and Props
Taremi, Iran’s main scoring threat, is +185 to score a goal anytime. Wood is +180 to do the same. If you have an inkling, as we do, that neither team may show up offensively in the opener, you can take a +700 flyer on a scoreless draw.
World Cup 2026 Bracket and Futures
Belgium is the heavy (-245) favourite to win Group G, followed by Egypt at +400. Iran is +650, while New Zealand brings up the rear at +2000.
In fact, New Zealand’s odds reflect its current stature in world soccer. It is +250,000 to win the World Cup, tied with Jordan and the aforementioned Haiti with the second-worst odds, just ahead of Curacao.
Coach Darren Bazeley’s side is also -200 to finish bottom of Group G, making them the favourites to do so. Iran is +333 to finish bottom of the table, and -200 to get out of the group stage for the first time.
Iran vs. New Zealand Score Prediction
I really want to predict a scoreless draw, but I think both sides have holes in their defences that will create opportunities. Look for Iran to win 2-1.