In SoFi Stadium, Iran will lay down a disciplined 4‑4‑2, pressing high to deny New Zealand the build‑up play they’ve struggled to assert in their last five matches. The Pars will look to trap the Kiwis in midfield, then exploit the width with quick interchanges that force the black‑and‑white side into dangerous transition gaps—especially on the right flank where their full‑backs tend to overlap. A disciplined shape and a single‑point advantage in the odds hint at a tight, attritional contest where each side must pick the right moment to launch a counter‑attack before the opposition can recover. New Zealand, meanwhile, will lean on a compact 4‑3‑3, using a flat midfield to stifle Iran’s tempo and turning to set‑piece corners as a prime source of threat. Their recent record of LLWLL shows a team desperate for a breakthrough, and the twilight of the group stage will add tournament nerves that could unravel their concentration. If the Kiwis can maintain possession and keep the ball moving, they’ll need to capitalize on even the smallest space left open by Iran’s sweeping press; otherwise, a single lapse could seal the match for the hosts.