Eli Just double earns All Whites a valuable point in World Cup opener

Elijah (Eli) Just announced himself on football’s biggest stage with two goals as the All Whites fought out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Iran in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup.

“It’s obviously just incredible, it’s not something that I could’ve ever dreamt of, so I’m just so happy. One was nice and then two was just amazing,” Just told TVNZ.

The result gives New Zealand an important point to start their campaign and offers further proof that the All Whites can compete with some of the world’s stronger football nations.

It is also Aotearoa’s first time at the tournament after 16 years.

Iran, currently ranked 23rd in the world, sit just shy of 60 places above New Zealand. But it was the All Whites who struck first.

Just, 26, marked his first World Cup appearance in style, with his opening goal arriving in the seventh minute, finishing calmly off his weaker foot as the ball sailed swiftly past Iranian Goalkeeper, Alireza Beiranvand.

The move was sparked by All Whites goalkeeper Max Crocombe, whose long delivery found captain Chris Wood, who controlled it smartly with his chest before combining neatly with Just in a sharp one-two that cut through the Iranian defence and handed New Zealand an early lead.

Iran responded in the 32nd minute to level the match, but the All Whites restored control after the break through another moment of quality from their striker.

Just struck again in the 55th minute, once more on his less dominant foot, finishing a slick passage of play that rewarded New Zealand’s sustained attacking intent.

The New Zealand All Whites players celebrating with goal scorer, Elijah Just. Photo/Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

While still in search of their first-ever World Cup win, the blistering-paced match proved to Just how competitive they can be, up against Iran, who are well decorated in the Asian confederation.

“It’s really, really special… we’ve been together for a long time. We were unfortunate to miss out on the last World Cup so being here today was such an amazing feeling,” Just said.

“We have a lot of goals coming into this tournament and the first was to get on the board. So one point is okay and there’s a lot of positives we can keep building on.”

For fans watching, 1News correspondent Logan Church summed up his own experience post-match.

“I think I’ve completely lost my voice… what a vibe that was. When that first goal happened so early on in the match, a contingent of Kiwis we were next to just leapt to their feet… that was just epic,” Church said.

The match became the fourth draw of the day, with Belgium and Egypt, both in Pool G, finishing one apiece, allowing New Zealand to sit top of the pool after each nation’s opening match.

New Zealand head into their second group match against Egypt in Vancouver, Canada, next Monday 22 June.

With confidence high and points already on the board, the All Whites have given themselves a platform to push for a place in the knockout stages.

For more on the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup, click here.