Group G

Belgium’s golden generation is one of the great what-ifs in recent football history. Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku — individually some of the best players of their era. Collectively, they never won anything that mattered. The 2018 team reached the semi-finals. The 2022 team stumbled out in the group stage with De Bruyne publicly calling out their tactical incoherence. That generation is almost gone. What comes next is the question Group G answers.

Belgium: Transition or Collapse?

De Bruyne turns 35 in the summer of 2026. He might still be there, but the question is who builds around him. Lois Openda, Jeremy Doku, and Amadou Onana are the next generation — quick, energetic, technically sound. They lack the depth that the 2018 squad had at every position, but there are enough quality players that Belgium should advance comfortably from this group. They cannot afford another group-stage implosion.

Their opener against Egypt in Seattle on June 15th is winnable. Their match against Iran on June 21st in Los Angeles should be too. The nervous one is against New Zealand in Vancouver on June 26th, if the group hasn’t been decided by then.

Iran: The Middle East’s Most Competitive Side

Iran have qualified for multiple World Cups and have consistently shown they are not merely making up the numbers. They beat Wales in 2022. They are physically robust, defensively organised, and have improved technically over the past decade. The Iran vs New Zealand match on June 15th in Los Angeles is the competition for third place in this group, and it could go either way.

The timezone angle: games in Seattle and Los Angeles kick off at noon and 6pm Pacific. Iranian fans at home are watching at 11pm to midnight — late but not punishing for a nation that follows football intensely.

Egypt: The Pharaohs Arrive

Egypt are seven-time African champions and one of the continent’s most storied footballing nations. Mohamed Salah’s era has dominated their recent history — the forward is one of the best players of his generation, and if he is fit and in form, Egypt can trouble anyone in this group. The Egypt vs Belgium opener in Seattle will be fascinating if Salah is at his best.

New Zealand: Pacific Football’s Flag

New Zealand reached the round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup without losing a game (three draws). They have not made it back since. Their qualification speaks to the continued growth of Oceanian football. The All Whites will be outmatched in most of this group, but they compete with genuine effort and the Pacific diaspora in Seattle and Vancouver makes their games attended and loud.

Must-watch match: Egypt vs Belgium, June 15th, Seattle. Salah vs a Belgian side in transition. One of those opener games that genuinely could go either way.

Bold prediction: Belgium win the group somewhat unconvincingly. Egypt advance in second on the back of Salah dragging them through. Iran and New Zealand finish third and fourth in whatever order the final day decides.