Iran's Second Match in the World Cup Against Belgium

The Iranian national team will play its second match in the 2026 World Cup against Belgium at the Los Angeles stadium, which hosted Iran's previous game. Iran drew 2-2 against New Zealand despite creating more chances, resulting in all teams in Group G having one point each, which complicates Iran's qualification from the group stage. Amir Ghalenoei, head coach of the Iranian national football team, said in a press conference before the match against Belgium in response to a BBC Persian question about the team lineup: "Certainly, there will be changes compared to the previous game." The previous match was held in front of more than 70,000 spectators, mostly Iranians and people of Iranian descent, with Mexican fans and the host cheering for Iran in the stands. In that match, the waving of hundreds of Lion and Sun flags by opponents of the Iranian government, which FIFA had banned from entering the stadium, attracted significant attention.