Iran vs New Zealand — FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G, Matchday 1
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood · Tuesday 16 June 2026
The Stadium
SoFi Stadium is one of the most technologically advanced sports venues ever built. Opened in September 2020 after years of construction in Inglewood, California, it serves as the home ground of both the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers of the NFL. The building cost in excess of $5 billion to construct — a figure that buys you a lot of architecture. Its most distinctive feature is the 70,000-square-foot translucent ETFE roof, which covers but does not fully enclose the bowl, allowing Southern California’s air to circulate while shielding fans from direct sun and rain. The centrepiece of the interior is a double-sided video board — nicknamed the Oculus — that stretches nearly the full length of the field and gives every seat an unobstructed view of match data and replays.
For the 2026 World Cup, SoFi Stadium is one of the marquee North American host venues. Its role in the tournament runs across the group stage through to the knockout rounds, making the Iran vs New Zealand opener on 16 June a genuine first act in a long summer of football at this building. FIFA has invested heavily in pitch preparation and stadium adaptation for football, including goal-line infrastructure and broadcasting positions suited to a global audience.
The stadium hosted Super Bowl LVI in February 2022, when the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals on home turf in front of a capacity crowd — an occasion that tested SoFi’s logistics at the highest level of American sport. That experience matters for a tournament like the World Cup, where stewarding, crowd flow, and international broadcast demands are similarly complex.
Getting There
SoFi Stadium sits in Inglewood, roughly 3.5 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and about 12 miles southwest of Downtown Los Angeles. The venue is purpose-built for large events, but Los Angeles traffic is notoriously unforgiving on matchdays — plan your journey accordingly.
Metro Rail: The most reliable option is the Metro K Line (Crenshaw Line), which has a dedicated Inglewood station with direct pedestrian access to the stadium campus. From Downtown LA, connect at Expo/Crenshaw station on the E Line (Expo Line). Total journey from downtown takes roughly 45 minutes depending on connections. On matchdays, Metro typically increases service frequency — check metro.net for event schedules closer to the date.
From LAX: The airport is a short drive, but a direct walk or ride-share is the simplest option given the proximity. The K Line’s Aviation/LAX station provides a public transit link; from there, ride toward Inglewood. Allow at least 45–60 minutes on match day due to congestion.
By Car and Parking: SoFi has substantial on-site parking, but spaces sell in advance and prices rise as kickoff approaches. Pre-booking through the official stadium website is strongly advised. Inglewood’s surrounding streets also fill quickly; many fans park further out and walk or use ride-share drop-off zones designated by the stadium.
Ride-share: Uber and Lyft have designated pick-up and drop-off zones on the stadium campus, though post-match waits can run long. Pre-scheduling a pickup before the final whistle is a practical workaround.
Travelling From Home Countries
From Iran:
Direct flights between Iran and the United States remain limited due to geopolitical and diplomatic constraints. Iranian fans are most likely to route through major hub airports — Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, or Frankfurt — before connecting to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Total journey times from Tehran, including layovers, typically run between 18 and 28 hours depending on routing. Visa requirements for Iranian citizens entering the United States are strict and subject to current diplomatic conditions; fans should consult the relevant US embassy or consulate serving their region well in advance and begin the visa application process as early as possible. LAX is approximately 3.5 miles from SoFi Stadium.
From New Zealand:
New Zealand fans face a long-haul crossing of the Pacific. Direct flights from Auckland (AKL) to Los Angeles International Airport operate regularly and take approximately 12–13 hours. New Zealand passport holders benefit from ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) eligibility for stays under 90 days, which can be applied for online well ahead of travel. From LAX, the stadium is accessible by Metro or ride-share in under an hour. Fans arriving from Wellington or Christchurch will typically connect through Auckland before the transpacific leg.
Tickets
Official tickets for all FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, including Group G fixtures, are sold exclusively through FIFA’s official ticketing platform at fifa.com/tickets. Demand for the 2026 tournament — the first co-hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — has been exceptionally high, and early allocation phases sold out rapidly. By the time matchday approaches, official face-value availability is likely to be scarce or nonexistent for most games.
For fans unable to secure tickets through official channels, secondary market platforms such as StubHub, Viagogo, and SeatGeek typically carry resale inventory, but prices on these platforms will reflect scarcity and can climb significantly above face value as the match approaches. FIFA does not endorse secondary market sales, and buyers should verify platform legitimacy before purchasing.
If you are still hoping for official tickets, keep checking the FIFA platform — returned and cancelled allocations are occasionally released in waves closer to the tournament. Registering for FIFA’s ticket alert notifications is the most reliable way to catch these drops.
Fan Zones and City Guide
FIFA typically establishes official fan zones in host cities during the World Cup, offering free big-screen screenings, food and merchandise. For Los Angeles, the most likely location for a central fan zone is the downtown area or the waterfront at Santa Monica — but official confirmation of site details should be checked via FIFA’s host city communications as 2026 approaches.
For a day in the city before the match:
Santa Monica and Venice Beach are the most distinctly Los Angeles experiences accessible to visiting fans. The boardwalk, the pier, and the outdoor basketball courts at Venice have a global sporting culture that translates easily for football crowds. It’s roughly 30 minutes by car from Inglewood.
Downtown LA’s Grand Central Market is a working food hall that has operated continuously since 1917 and gives you a concentrated, honest picture of the city’s food culture — far preferable to a chain restaurant near the stadium. Korean, Mexican, and Salvadoran food all feature prominently.
The Museum of Natural History in Exposition Park sits close to the Metro E Line and is a manageable daytime stop for fans who arrive early. It is also walkable from USC, which provides a useful sense of the city’s layout south of downtown.
For football-specific drinking culture, the bars around Downtown LA’s Arts District and Koreatown both have established soccer viewing communities. Esperanza and other Mexican-American neighbourhoods further south toward Inglewood will likely see organic fan gatherings on World Cup matchdays.
Watch the Match Remotely
Not making it to Inglewood in person? Broadcast arrangements for FIFA World Cup 2026 will be confirmed by rights holders in each territory in the months ahead. For a full breakdown of where to watch and what to expect from the match itself, visit the Full preview and where to watch guide at Kickoff Report.
FAQ
- Where is Iran vs New Zealand being played?
- Iran vs New Zealand is being played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Tuesday 16 June 2026. The match is the Group G Matchday 1 fixture of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
- How many fans does SoFi Stadium hold?
- SoFi Stadium has a capacity of approximately 70,000 for NFL events, with the ability to expand for major occasions. FIFA may configure the seating differently for World Cup matches; official tournament capacity figures will be confirmed closer to the event.
- How do I get to SoFi Stadium from Los Angeles city centre?
- The most reliable public transport route is the Metro K Line (Crenshaw Line) to the Inglewood station adjacent to the stadium campus. From Downtown LA, connect via the E Line (Expo Line) at Expo/Crenshaw station. The total journey takes around 45 minutes. Ride-share services and pre-booked parking are also available but expect delays on matchdays.
- Can I still buy tickets for Iran vs New Zealand at the World Cup?
- Official tickets are sold through FIFA's platform at fifa.com/tickets, though face-value availability is expected to be very limited by matchday. Secondary market platforms such as StubHub and SeatGeek carry resale inventory at higher prices. Monitor FIFA's site for any last-minute official releases.
- What is there to do in Los Angeles for football fans before the match?
- Santa Monica and Venice Beach offer the most iconic LA experience within easy reach of the stadium. Downtown LA's Grand Central Market is a strong option for food. The Arts District and Koreatown both have established soccer bar cultures that will be lively during the World Cup. Exposition Park near the Metro E Line is also worth a morning visit.