LOS ANGELES: Iran came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their long-awaited opening game at the World Cup on Monday as Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to rescue a point for Belgium in a 1-1 draw against Egypt.

After months of uncertainty surrounding their participation in the tournament following the war in the Middle East, all eyes were on the Iranians as they took on the New Zealanders in Group ‘G’ at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium.

Goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi secured a point for Iran after Elijah Just had twice fired New Zealand into the lead.

“That may be our best performance ever, or since I’ve been involved with the All Whites, which is a long time,” New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley said.

“Overall, I thought it was a really strong performance and I think we showed the world who we are and who our players are.”

Afterwards Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei lashed out at the restrictions that have been placed on his team since arriving in North America.

The Iranians were initially due to be based in Tucson, Arizona before switching their training base to Tijuana in Mexico due to ongoing tensions with co-hosts the United States over visa issues.

‘MOST OPPRESSED TEAM’

US authorities have refused to grant visas for several members of the Iranian delegation, prompting Ghalenoei to describe Iran as “the most oppressed team in the World Cup.”

Ghalenoei said Iran had been told to leave the United States immediately after Monday’s game.

“They delayed our arrivals, they are forcing us to go back early without time for recovery,” Ghalenoei said. “They are making the situation more and more difficult, facing us with more hurdles, but we’re not going to let that stop us from doing our best.”

According to Ghalenoei, his team had previously been told they would be able to remain in the US until Tuesday lunchtime “to recover.”

“But again they haven’t permitted us,” he said. “To be honest, I have no idea why they haven’t told us.”

The coach said technical staff had been forced to take on managerial duties to the absence of key personnel.

“That’s why I think we are the most oppressed team in the World Cup,” he said.

Their star striker Mehdi Taremi also slammed his team’s treatment at the tournament as a “disaster” after the game.

“It’s a lot of stress for the players and staffs and everyone, but we don’t have that support, and I think FIFA have to help us more than this,” he told reporters. He added: “Everything is like disaster, actually, for us.”

Taremi said the first the players had learnt they would be leaving the US on Monday was on match day.

“We are just tired of this situation, because from two months ago, last month, we’re having a lot of problems, you know? “It’s so bad, and it affects our team. We just want the peace, which is the centers of FIFA, ‘peace, joy,’ and those things.”

Taremi said FIFA president Gianni Infantino had been in the Iran changing room discussing the issue.

“He wants to try to help us, but it’s about other things too,” he said.

VISA EXPIRED

Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that winger Mehdi Torabi’s visa has been expired as he was only issued a single-entry visa instead of the multiple-entry visa given to other Iranian national team players.

“Following the national team’s trip to Los Angeles for the match against New Zealand and the conclusion of that game, Torabi’s visa has now expired,” state news agency IRNA reported.

The Iranian Football Federation “has taken steps to obtain a new visa for Torabi, so that he can accompany the national team in its upcoming matches”, it added.

The agency did not disclose if Torabi successfully departed the US but said “all members of the national team are on board the aircraft” that was leaving the United States for Mexico.

The match came a day after the announcement of a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, bringing an “immediate and permanent” end to miltary operations on all fronts.

A few hours before Monday’s opener, hundreds of protesters against Iran’s ruling regime gathered outside the SoFi Stadium to vent their anger at Tehran’s rulers.

FIFA had warned that anyone carrying Iran’s pre-revolutionary flag into the stadium would risk ejection under rules that forbid any kind of political messaging inside grounds.

However AFP reporters witnessed dozens of fans inside the stadium wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the banned flag, while other supporters openly displayed the flag, in violation of FIFA guidelines.

But there was no sign of any other significant protest against the Iranian team during the game, who were greeted by a roar from the crowd when they first appeared to warm up and enjoyed raucous support throughout.

‘TOP QUALITY’

In Group ‘G’ other match on Monday, an upset had looked on the cards, with Egypt taking the lead through Emam Ashour in the first half against Belgium in Seattle.

But veteran striker Lukaku came in the second half to make an instant impact, harassing Egypt defender Mohamed Hany into an own goal to secure a share of the points.

The draw denied Egypt their maiden win in the showpiece event but coach Hossam Hassan said that his team showed their potential and quality of players.

“I’m not the one to talk about Egypt’s stature. The players are top quality, and we have two of the best players in the world with us. They give us motivation,” he said of captain Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. “We are definitely not here just to make up the numbers. The win was in our hands today.”

Playing in their fourth World Cup, Egypt are chasing their best-ever showing and got their campaign off to an impressive start, registering 14 goal attempts and going toe-to-toe with one of the top-ranked sides.

“This was our priority, our number one focus. We were not thinking about anything else,” Hassan said. “But the draw is a win actually, a draw against such a rival, a big rival. They have big, big players.”

ARAUJO SAVES URUGUAY BLUSHES

In Miami, two-time World Cup-winners Uruguay had to come from behind to grab a point against Saudi Arabia in Group ‘H’.

Abdulelah al-Amri gave Saudi Arabia the lead on 41 minutes but Maxi Araujo’s leveller on 80 minutes saved Uruguay’s blushes in a 1-1 draw. Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay racked up 22 shots in the second period but the Saudi defence and goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais doggedly held firm.

“We should have won this match,” said the colourful Argentine Bielsa. “We weren’t able to show the best version of ourselves,” he added, admitting that his side only got going in the second half.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia coach Georgios Donis said he had not been in charge long enough to ensure the squad have the tactical flexibility needed to deal with an experienced Uruguay. Donis replaced Herve Renard in April and the opener was his first competitive game with the team after three pre-tournament friendlies.

“For us, within three weeks we’ve been trying to set up our game, build up our game and have a better spirit,” said Donis.

“When we’re faced with certain opponents, getting one point is a positive event and this is a booster for our psychology.

“Currently I’m trying to learn my team, I’m trying to learn my players and get to know them. I see how they react and behave and what I’ve seen is that, due to the lack of time, we cannot be flexible during the match.

“We know how to play 4-4-2 or 4-3-2-1, but we must be able to play with three midfielders or with five defenders. At the moment, unfortunately, we’re not that flexible. It takes time to get to know how to do it.”

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026