Iran and Belgium played out a goalless draw at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, a result that keeps Group G finely balanced after two rounds of the 2026 World Cup. Belgium controlled much of the possession and created the clearer early chances, with Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku testing Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. Iran thought they had taken the lead in the 24th minute when Mehdi Taremi found the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR review.

Beiranvand emerged as the central figure, producing a series of saves that frustrated a Belgian side which registered high possession but lacked cutting edge. His most spectacular intervention came in the second half, a sprawling stop from a De Cuyper effort that was widely labelled the save of the match. At the other end, Thibaut Courtois denied Iran a winner with a sharp save of his own. The contest turned in the 67th minute when Belgian defender Nathan Ngoyi was shown a straight red card for fouling an Iranian attacker on a breakaway, yet the ten-man European side still threatened late on, with Dodi Lukebakio firing narrowly wide in stoppage time.

The match unfolded against an unusual geopolitical backdrop. Iran’s squad has been based across the border in Tijuana, Mexico, commuting into the United States for fixtures while the two countries remain in a state of conflict. Iranian officials quickly appropriated the imagery of defensive resilience. Parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted a photograph of Beiranvand’s save with the caption “This is how we protect our land,” while foreign minister Abbas Araghchi shared the same image overlaid with pictures of victims of a school attack in Minab, framing the moment as part of a broader struggle to defend national honour.

After two matches, Egypt lead the group with four points, having drawn with Belgium and beaten New Zealand. Iran and Belgium each have two points, while New Zealand sit bottom with one. Both Iran and Belgium remain in contention for the two automatic qualification spots, and the group’s third-placed finisher could still advance as one of the best eight third-placed teams. The next round of fixtures will determine whether either side can break the deadlock and seize control of their campaign.