Group G preview: Belgium favourite as Salah’s Egypt and Iran chase last-32 spot

Group G opens on the West Coast as the 2026 FIFA World Cup moves into match action. Belgium arrive as favourites, but Egypt, Iran and New Zealand all harbour hopes of reaching the Round of 32.

Belgium: a heavyweight with expectations

Under head coach Rudi Garcia, Belgium nicknamed the Red Devils carry heavy expectations. They sit ninth in the FIFA rankings and will look to improve on their best World Cup finish of third place in 2018. Key figures listed for the squad include captain Youri Tielemans and playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.

Egypt: Salah leads the charge

The Pharaohs make their fourth World Cup appearance and their first since 2018. Head coach Hossam Hassan and captain Mohamed El Shenawy will rely on talisman Mohamed Salah as Egypt aim to reach the knockout stages for the first time. Egypt qualified strongly from CAF, recording eight wins in 10 qualifying matches.

Iran: seasoned and organised

Iran arrive with a squad described as having significant European experience. Team details in the preview list Amir Ghalenoei as head coach, Alireza Jahanbakhsh as captain and Mehdi Taremi as a key player. The country is ranked 20th by FIFA and is seeking to progress beyond the group stage.

New Zealand: the underdog story

The All Whites are the sole Oceania representative and the lowest-ranked team in the group, sitting at 85th in the FIFA rankings. Head coach Darren Bazeley, captain Chris Wood and key player Marko Stamenic will hope to echo New Zealand’s memorable unbeaten run at the 2010 tournament and cause surprises for their opponents.

Match schedule

• Matchday 1: Belgium v Egypt @ 9pm; Iran v New Zealand @ 3am
• Matchday 2: Sunday, June 21: Belgium v Iran @ 9pm; Monday, June 22: New Zealand v Egypt @ 3am
• Matchday 3: Saturday, June 27: Egypt v Iran; New Zealand v Belgium (both @ 5am)

Times local to host cities (North America)

What to watch

Belgium’s experienced core arrive under pressure to deliver a deep World Cup run. Egypt will lean on Mohamed Salah to drive an attack that dominated qualifying. Iran bring a compact, Europe-tested unit aiming to upset stronger-ranked sides, while New Zealand embrace their underdog status and the chance to disrupt Group G’s established order.

Bottom line

Group G combines pedigree and intrigue: Belgium on paper look strongest, but Egypt, Iran and New Zealand all have clear paths to contest the two spots in the Round of 32.