“No external power can deprive Iran of its participation in a cup to which it has qualified with merit,” the Iranian federation said on Saturday
https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/5/9/iran-says-it-will-play-at-2026-world-cup-if-hosts-address-concerns
https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/5/9/iran-says-it-will-play-at-2026-world-cup-if-hosts-address-concerns
I'm an optimistic pessimist.
I'm positive things will go wrong.
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Latest update on the Iran situation from London's Telegraph newspaper (reprinted on the Stuff website):
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360977029/iran-sends-fifa-10-point-ultimatum-amid-threat-withdraw-world-cup
Iran sends FIFA 10-point ultimatum amid threat to withdraw from World Cuphttps://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360977029/iran-sends-fifa-10-point-ultimatum-amid-threat-withdraw-world-cup
Iran has issued a 10-point ultimatum for FIFA to guarantee its football team’s involvement at next month’s World Cup in the United States.
The Middle East nation signalled in its most direct terms since the war with the US and Israel started that it will compete. However, it is seeking a series of guarantees to ensure no “retreat from our beliefs, culture and convictions”.
In a sign of ongoing tensions surrounding the team’s participation, the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) has said the US “must take our concerns into account”.
This could be the sticking point: "Visas without complications for all players and staff, including those who performed military service for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps"
Concern around visas being blocked over links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could be a significant hurdle. The group is listed as a terrorist organisation in Canada and the US, and [Iranian FA president] Taj’s links to it were cited as a reason he was denied entry into Canada for the recent FIFA Congress.
The entire list has not been confirmed but the Iranian journalist Alireza Akbari reports that they include:
This could be the sticking point: "Visas without complications for all players and staff, including those who performed military service for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps"
Concern around visas being blocked over links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could be a significant hurdle. The group is listed as a terrorist organisation in Canada and the US, and [Iranian FA president] Taj’s links to it were cited as a reason he was denied entry into Canada for the recent FIFA Congress.
The entire list has not been confirmed but the Iranian journalist Alireza Akbari reports that they include:
- Visas without complications for all players and staff, including those who performed military service for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- Once visas are issued, players and staff should not be subjected to questioning by US immigration authorities.
- Visas for Iranian journalists and fans attending matches must be resolved in advance.
- US authorities must maintain the highest security protocols at airports, hotels, transit routes and stadiums.
- Fans may only bring their official team flags to stadiums; no other flags will be allowed.
- The playing of Iran’s national anthem during all matches must be “ensured and free from disruption”.
- Questions from journalists during press conferences should be strictly limited to match-related topics.
- It was reported elsewhere that remaining demands include requests for no political criticism directed at the team, no insults towards Iranian military personnel and official recognition of Islamic Republic symbols throughout the tournament.
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
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HT Egypt 1 - 0 Belgium
Very good 1st half of footie. It's boiling out there. Can Egypt keep that energy without the ball? Not sure...
Prediction Egypt 1 - 2 Belgium
To be fair on Egypt, that score could be the other way round.
Very good 1st half of footie. It's boiling out there. Can Egypt keep that energy without the ball? Not sure...
Prediction Egypt 1 - 2 Belgium
To be fair on Egypt, that score could be the other way round.
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I'm actually surprised that Egypt are ahead at this point, I had thought the Belgians would dominate this group.
Seems they are rushing their chances a bit, lacking some composure, which as Spain showed this morning can happen at the big dance.
Seems they are rushing their chances a bit, lacking some composure, which as Spain showed this morning can happen at the big dance.
Queenslander 3x a year.
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1-1 scramble in the goal and Belgium equalise before the ad break
Queenslander 3x a year.
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a draw between these two is the bets outcome for us I think.
Queenslander 3x a year.
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Endorsed by
Realistically I'd prefer Belgium to beat both Egypt and Iran, and have won the group prior to playing us. Unfortunately I think this makes it tougher now
Annual finals disappointment enthusiast.
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observerfromuh wrote:theprof wrote:potentially the worst, means both teams have to up the ante against us and Iran.
a draw between these two is the bets outcome for us I think.
true, but that adds pressure, which if we can defend which will create opportunities.
Queenslander 3x a year.
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After watching the game today and seeing how good Egypt was, even more crucial that we somehow come away with the win today.
Auckland will rise once more
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pretty simple formula for today, we have to go for the win, get ahead of the group from game one, put all the pressure ion the big two in the group.
Queenslander 3x a year.
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theprof wrote:
pretty simple formula for today, we have to go for the win, get ahead of the group from game one, put all the pressure ion the big two in the group.
Umfortunately I think this morning's result will reinforce Baze's approach to play for a draw 'to keep us in it'.
I know, I know, its serious!
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Im hopeful that despite any input from Baze, Wood and the leadership group (including Smith) will push for a steal!
Queenslander 3x a year.
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theprof wrote:
pretty simple formula for today, we have to go for the win, get ahead of the group from game one, put all the pressure ion the big two in the group.
I very much doubt the big two will feel any pressure whether NZ or Iran win this one, but definitely need to go for the win here as you say.
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Turfmoore wrote:theprof wrote:Umfortunately I think this morning's result will reinforce Baze's approach to play for a draw 'to keep us in it'.
pretty simple formula for today, we have to go for the win, get ahead of the group from game one, put all the pressure ion the big two in the group.
I was wrong. So wrong! (even though we ended up with a draw)
I know, I know, its serious!
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Endorsed by
Belgium struggling to break down a tough Iranian defence, even having to rely on a goal being scrubbed off for Iran to be 0-0.
Will still be tough for Iran to stay in this, they already look like they are just hanging on! But the longer this stays 0-0 the more stressful it gets for Belgium.3
Puts a bit of pressure on us to score early today!
Will still be tough for Iran to stay in this, they already look like they are just hanging on! But the longer this stays 0-0 the more stressful it gets for Belgium.3
Puts a bit of pressure on us to score early today!
Queenslander 3x a year.
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Belgium lose Julien Ngoy for the NZ game after getting sent off against Iran
I'm an optimistic pessimist.
I'm positive things will go wrong.
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Endorsed by
both a positive and negative, assuming Belgium dont win this they will be coming out against us desperate for the win.
not over yet but they have 25ish minutes to rectify the current 0-0 scoreline
not over yet but they have 25ish minutes to rectify the current 0-0 scoreline
Queenslander 3x a year.
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finishes 0-0, well played Iran.
we win today and we get through, looking at the number of 3rd placed teams on 0 points at this stage of the tournament gives me a little hope that we could sneak through on 3 draws.
we win today and we get through, looking at the number of 3rd placed teams on 0 points at this stage of the tournament gives me a little hope that we could sneak through on 3 draws.
Queenslander 3x a year.
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Endorsed by
Google AI summation of our chances to qualify after this draw:
Why This is Great News for the All Whites
Why This is Great News for the All Whites
- The Points Threshold Decreased: With Iran and Belgium maxing out at 2 points after two games, a win for New Zealand against Egypt today puts them isolated at the very top of Group G with 4 points. That would lock in a 99% chance of automatic knockout qualification. [1, 2]
- The Tiebreaker Advantage: Because New Zealand scored 2 goals against Iran, they currently hold the primary goals-for tiebreaker over both Belgium (1 goal) and Egypt (1 goal). [1]
- The Final Matchday Safety Net: If New Zealand draws with Egypt today, they go into the final matchday level with everyone on 2 points. Crucially, they face Belgium last. Because Belgium has struggled to score (only 1 goal in 180 minutes), a final-day draw against them becomes a much more realistic, qualification-yielding result than it looked before the tournament. [1, 2]
Updated Match Projections
- Win vs Egypt: >99% chance to qualify (Guaranteed Top 2 or Best 3rd).
- Draw vs Egypt: ~55% chance to qualify (Keeps destiny entirely in their hands vs Belgium).
- Loss vs Egypt: ~20% chance to qualify (Must beat Belgium on the final day). [1]
Queenslander 3x a year.
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Endorsed by
theprof wrote:
finishes 0-0, well played Iran.
we win today and we get through, looking at the number of 3rd placed teams on 0 points at this stage of the tournament gives me a little hope that we could sneak through on 3 draws.
Scoring against Iran isn't for everybody I guess
I'm an optimistic pessimist.
I'm positive things will go wrong.
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Endorsed by
+1
+1
That means if either team wins today they’re essentially through, right? Neither would be able to catch the other given head-to-head is the tiebreaker, and 4 points almost certainly secures one of the 3rd place slots at a minimum.
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Endorsed by
They need to go after Egypt otherwise Mo Salad could hurt them late in the game. 2-0 would see us through.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
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LG wrote:
They need to go after Egypt otherwise Mo Salad could hurt them late in the game. 2-0 would see us through.
1-0 will see us through.
We need to be brave. Watching at work, all classrooms open to the game... but no beer to be had, until I get home to celebrate!!
We need to be brave. Watching at work, all classrooms open to the game... but no beer to be had, until I get home to celebrate!!
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Why did he freeze on Iran first goal? But to be fair on Croc, the defence has been poor. I know everybody is looking at him for Egypt 3rd goal but Payne was at 6's and 7's. Really disappointing.
Damn 🙄, there is still a chance against this Belgian team. Yes they got star players but they not playing well.
Damn 🙄, there is still a chance against this Belgian team. Yes they got star players but they not playing well.
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