Iran and New Zealand met in Group G as the political turmoil between Iran and the U.S. overshadows the World Cup.

Tim Payne, the little-known New Zealand defender who became a social media celebrity, will leave his home country to play for Paraguay's reigning champion Olimpia, a team with a long tradition in South American soccer.

"We're creating chances and no one means to drop them, but we've dropped a lot," Melie Kerr says after New Zealand's tally of missed chances rises to nine after two games

The 2026 World Cup continues on Monday with four matches, culminating with Iran vs. New Zealand at 9 p.m. ET. Iran and New Zealand are part of Group G, which also features Belgium and Egypt, who will square off earlier in the day.

New Zealand midfielder Matt Garbett has been ruled out of ​the World Cup after suffering a ‌hamstring injury in training ahead of his side's 2-2 draw with Iran in their ​Group G opener on Monday.