How Chris Wood can lead All Whites to historic result over Iran in their most important Fifa World Cup game

Tuesday, 16 June 2026

All Whites striker Chris Wood was a rookie at the 2010 World Cup finals, now he leads a team chasing an elusive first win on the world’s biggest stage. (File photo).

What: Fifa World Cup Group G, All Whites v Iran. Where: Los Angeles Stadium. When: 1pm Tuesday (NZT). Live on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ (free to air).

ANALYSIS: The All Whites face the most important game in their World Cup history in a potentially winnable opening encounter against a team 64 places further up the Fifa food chain.

Chris Wood's team - ranked 85th in the world - face Iran, 21st, at Los Angeles Stadium on Tuesday (1pm kickoff) in a match that represents both nations’ best chance of making the World Cup playoffs for the first time.

Most neutrals would expect Asia’s second-best team to beat the Oceania champions - even the New Zealand TAB has the All Whites as $4.50 outsiders.

But the great imponderable is how Iran will react to the pressure of playing in the most political World Cup match this century.

The backdrop of playing in the United States - the nation recently at war with Iran - could either galvanise Mehdi Taremi and his Team Melli teammates, or be a yoke around their necks.

Some 230,000 Iranians who live in California - and 93 million back home - will demand a win for Taremi’s team in Donald Trump’s backyard.

One victory in Group G could be enough to advance to the round of 32.

The All Whites must add to the pressure on Iran by pressing them intensely and being bold in possession themselves.

Everyone bangs on about the All Whites’ lack of goals against non-Oceania teams - just 14 in 22 games on Darren Bazeley’s watch.

But it is defence that will determine progress.

Iran’s attack is their strength. Taremi (60 goals in 105 caps) was a scoring sensation in Portugal with Porto and was in Inter Milan’s 2025 Champions League final squad. Mehdi Ghayedi is a fast, elusive winger and Saman Ghoddos, Iran’s No 10, had EPL experience with Brentford.

So who should Bazeley start?

New Zealand defender Finn Surman blocks a shot by England forward Marcus Rashford.

Max Crocombe’s aerial ability and experience should earn him the goalkeeping nod over Alex Paulsen’s flashier shot-stopping.

The All Whites do not have centrebacks of Ryan Nelsen’s and Winston Reid’s class, but Michael Boxall is experienced and still has some pace at 37, while Tyler Bindon and Finn Surman have size and potential. Surman was strong against England after defensive shortcomings in a 4-0 loss to Haiti.

Cacace, at left back, and Tim Payne on the right side, need to get tighter on their wingers than they did in the warm-up games.

New Zealand forward Elijah Just (11) moves the ball ahead of England’s Anthony Gordon at a pre-World Cup game in florida.

Bazeley brought Bindon on at right back against England and there might be a case to start him there against Iran. But social media sensation Payne offers more going forward and in set piece delivery.

Uncertainty over the match fitness of Ryan Thomas and Matt Garbett could see Sarpreet Singh join Stamenić and Joe Bell in the central midfield mix.

Another option could be to move Eli Just to the 10 role where he has played in Scotland and start Jesse Randall and Callum McCowatt on the flanks.

Pace is indispensable in the searing heat of the 2026 World Cup. Hence the need to balance Wood’s height and touch, with speedy sidekicks.

The dream scenario would be a double for Wood and a clean-sheet for a 2-0 win, followed by respectable low-scoring defeats to Belgium and Egypt.

Unlikely, but not impossible. It could come down to belief - where Wood has a leading role.

Ryan Nelsen, pictured celebrating a 2009 World Cup playoffs win over Bahrain, captained the team with distinction at the 2010 finals in South Africa.

Top players reach their peak on the game’s biggest stage, and there is no loftier pinnacle in world sport than Fifa’s men’s World Cup.

Wood need only look at his predecessor World Cup captains for inspiration.

The late, great Steve Sumner always insisted the best performance of his life came in the 4-0 defeat to Brazil at the 1982 World Cup.

Nelsen was a rock in the All Whites’ defence during their unbeaten run in South Africa in 2010. Especially against defending champions Italy.

Wood was a teen in the 2010 squad when the All Whites’ mindset changed - driven by Nelsen and Simon Elliott (Bazeley’s current assistant-coach).

Most New Zealanders - and the Halberg Team of the Year judges - felt the All Whites had over-achieved in snaring three draws in 2010. Not Nelsen. He apologised to the nation for not making the playoffs.

Wood will remind the Class of ‘26 about that and stress the need not to blow their unique chance.

All Whites’ possible lineup (4-2-3-1): Max Crocombe; Tim Payne, Michael Boxall, Finn Surman, Liberato Cacace; Joe Bell, Marko Staemnic; Eli Just, Sarpreet Singh, Jesse Randall; Chris Wood (capt).