Former Captain Eyes Redemption as All Whites Face Iran in 2026

A former captain of the New Zealand national football team believes that a victory against Iran at the upcoming 2026 World Cup could serve as a form of redemption for a controversial disallowed goal that cost his team a historic win more than 50 years ago. The All Whites are set to face Iran in Group G in Los Angeles in July 2026, a rematch of their only full international encounter in August 1973.

Earle Thomas, who played as a centre forward in the match at Newmarket Park in Auckland, recalls a pivotal moment in the game when a shot from midfielder Alan Vest struck the underside of the crossbar and appeared to cross the line. Thomas asserts that this goal should have been awarded, which would have given New Zealand an unprecedented victory over a nation outside of Oceania.

“It was a good shot,” Thomas said of Vest’s effort. “He was on the edge of the box when he hit it. It was a good goal to win a game on.” Thomas followed the play, convinced that the ball had crossed the line, and did not attempt to provide a final touch. “I turned around to go back to halfway. In my opinion, it was in, so I just turned around and went back.”

The match ended in a 0-0 draw, and the referee Tom Delahunty and his linesman were unable to see the incident clearly, as video technology like VAR was not available at the time. A win would have marked a significant achievement for New Zealand, but Thomas reflects that both teams had opportunities throughout the game and that a draw was a fair outcome.

“Iran was quite good, but we played quite well and there wasn’t much in the whole game,” he noted. “They could all play a little bit, and we had a few good players too, like Brian Turner and Vest.”

At that time, Iran was preparing for an inter-continental World Cup playoff against Australia and had already played a match in Christchurch, where they drew 1-1. This was a pivotal period for both nations, with Iran eventually qualifying for the 1974 World Cup, but their chances were hindered by the draw against New Zealand.

Despite the setback, Thomas believes that the quality of play has evolved significantly since then. “They were a good side, and I think they’ve gotten a lot better since then,” he commented.

As anticipation builds for the rematch in 2026, many All Whites supporters are hopeful that their team can advance beyond the group stage for the first time. New Zealand has been drawn alongside strong teams, including Belgium and Egypt, as well as Iran, ranked 20th in the world compared to New Zealand’s 86th position.

While Belgium boasts superstars like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, Egypt features players such as Mohammed Salah. Despite these challenges, Thomas remains optimistic about the All Whites’ chances against Iran, suggesting that a win would make the historical ledger a bit fairer.

“It’s still going to be tough,” he acknowledged, “but if you had to choose who to play, Iran would probably be one of the teams.”

As the countdown to the World Cup continues, the legacy of the 1973 match still resonates with Thomas, who has remained connected to football through various sponsorship roles and youth development initiatives. The forthcoming clash in Los Angeles represents not only a chance for the All Whites to assert their place in international football but also an opportunity to rewrite history.