Iran national football team plays its first match in FIFA World Cup 2026 against New Zealand on Tuesday, June 16th, at 04:30 Tehran time in Los Angeles, USA. Mehdi Taremi, Iran's goal-scoring striker, aims to continue his impressive goal-scoring streak for the national team in the first match against New Zealand. Taremi, who has played 105 national team matches, will start in the main lineup and try to increase his notable record of 60 national team goals. In the attack line, Taremi will be supported by two other goal-scoring players, Mohammad Mohebi and Mehdi Ghayedi, who have scored 14 and 10 national team goals, respectively, and play an important role in the team's offensive phase. The Iranian national team is also facing several injury problems, with Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Denis Akter, and Mehdi Torabi likely to miss the match, and Ruzbe Cheshmi's status is uncertain and depends on the final fitness tests. In Jahanbakhsh's absence, Saman Ghoddos will likely play as the number 10 midfielder, and Saeid Ezatolahi will partner with Amir Mohammad Rezaei in the central midfield. In the defense line, Ramin Rezaeian and Ehsan Hajsafi will cover the flanks, and the duo of Shoja Khalilzadeh and Hossein Kanaanizadegan will play in the heart of the defense. This defense line will be protected by the national team's number one goalkeeper, Alireza Beiranvand, who will undoubtedly be in the main lineup to give Iran a strong start in the World Cup.