New Zealand's Gritty Draw With Iran Defies the Odds
New Zealand defied the odds at the 2026 World Cup, with the lowest-ranked side in the entire field twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Iran.
Ranked 85th, New Zealand were not expected to trouble their opponents, but their resilience earned a memorable point and added to the group stage's catalogue of surprises.
The performance highlighted the competitiveness of the expanded tournament, where ranking gaps have not always told the full story.
It was a result to savour for the tournament's biggest underdogs.
