Overview
- Iran came back twice to draw 2:2 with New Zealand in Inglewood on Tuesday in a match marked by loud whistles during the Iranian anthem and fans waving pre-revolutionary flags.
- Following the game, Iranian officials were ordered to leave the United States immediately for their Tijuana base, and players and coaches called the abrupt move a "desaster" while saying key media and federation staff lacked U.S. visas.
- Somali referee Omar Artan was refused entry to the U.S. despite holding a visa after authorities cited security concerns, and BBC-linked reporting says FIFA will still pay his full World Cup referee fee.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Iran’s locker room and the governing body’s independent disciplinary panel cleared VAR official Shaun Evans, but FIFA says it cannot overrule sovereign immigration and security decisions.
- The opening nights have produced multiple unexpected draws — including Spain 0:0 Cape Verde, Uruguay 1:1 Saudi Arabia and Belgium 1:1 Egypt — a sign of on-field unpredictability that adds pressure to logistics for the expanded 48-team tournament.