FIFA World Cup 2026 as it happened: Iran and NZ draw 2-2 after boos ring out across SoFi Stadium during Iranian national anthem; Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Cape Verde shock opponents with four draws in four games

That is all we have time for today.

Thanks for following along with our live coverage. And, the good news is we’ll be back to do it all again from 5am tomorrow.

If you’re looking for something to quench your World Cup thirst until then, why not check out some of our other coverage?

• You could read this fantastic feature from reporter Vince Rugari on Iraq coach Graham Arnold?
• Or how about the story of how goalscorer Connor Metcalfe became and Australian hero?
• A personal favourite of mine is this Good Weekend feature on Nestory Irakunda.
• And, don’t forget this story on the Socceroos newest star Patrick Beach, who went from accidental goalkeeper to a household name.

Remember that stunning 0-0 draw between Cape Verde and Spain earlier today? The one that made goalkeeper Vozinha an instant internet sensation (he had 50k followers on Instagram this morning, now he has 5.2 million)? Well, Cape Verde is still celebrating. And it’s not just the people, it’s the goats too.

With the day’s play wrapped-up, here’s how Groups G and H are looking.

New Zealand are given top spot in Group G, despite a 2-2 draw because Iran’s Ehsan Hajsafi was given a yellow card.

In the event of a draw, yellow and red cards will be used as a tiebreaker for table position.

“I’m extremely proud of the players,” says NZ manager Darren Bazeley. “With the work rate, and we created loads of chances. I thought we were really, really good in possession, defended pretty well for the majority, and we’ve come off disappointed to not win a game because we were leading twice.

“Scored two great goals had some moments, which was really good. It’s going to be a little bit bittersweet because we had a chance to make history tonight and win a game at a World Cup. And we came really close, we didn’t lose. We kept in it and played really, really well.”

Well, perhaps this was destined to be a draw given how the rest of today has played out. The managers shake hands. The players collapse in a heap, defeated by their exertions. Twice the Kiwis held the lead and looked the goods for a first World Cup win, and twice they were pegged back by an Iran side that just wouldn’t let up.