Belgium
Rudi Garcia – appointed in January 2025 – takes charge of Belgium at their 15th World Cup as they chase a first global title. The Red Devils topped UEFA Group J unbeaten – including a 7-0 thrashing of Liechtenstein – and arrive ranked ninth in the world.
Their best finish remains third place in 2018 but they crashed out in the group stage in Qatar. Kevin De Bruyne remains their creative heartbeat at 34. Romelu Lukaku – all-time top scorer with 89 goals – returns despite a fitness-disrupted season.
Players to watch: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) and Romelu Lukaku (Napoli).
Egypt
Hossam Hassan – Egypt’s most celebrated footballer, now turned coach – leads the Pharaohs to their fourth World Cup. Egypt appeared in 1934, 1990 and 2018 without ever winning a match.
This campaign, in what is expected to be Mohamed Salah’s final World Cup, represents their most realistic opportunity yet to reach the knockout stages for the first time.
Players to watch: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) and Omar Marmoush (Manchester City).
Iran
Team Melli arrive at their seventh World Cup and fourth consecutive tournament under Amir Ghalenoei. Iran have never advanced beyond the group stage in six previous appearances.
Captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh leads a squad built around Mehdi Taremi – who scored ten goals across qualifying – in what is widely regarded as their best ever opportunity to reach the knockouts.
Players to watch: Mehdi Taremi (Olympiakos) and Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Dender).
New Zealand
The All Whites return to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years – their third appearance after 1982 and 2010. Darren Bazeley guided them to qualification with a 3-0 win over New Caledonia at Eden Park on 24 March 2025.
Captain Chris Wood and Tommy Smith become the first New Zealanders to appear at two World Cups. Their best result remains going unbeaten through the entire 2010 group stage.
Players to watch: Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) and Liberato Cacace (Wrexham).
Belgium are the favourites to top Group G. The battle for second place between Egypt and Iran – their final group match in Seattle a potential straight shootout for the knockout spot – is the group’s most compelling storyline.
The fixtures
15 Jun: Belgium vs Egypt – Lumen Field, Seattle – 21:00 SAST
16 Jun: Iran vs New Zealand – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 03:00 SAST
21 Jun: Belgium vs Iran – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 21:00 SAST
22 Jun: New Zealand vs Egypt – BC Place, Vancouver – 03:00 SAST
27 Jun: Egypt vs Iran – Lumen Field, Seattle – 05:00 SAST
27 Jun: New Zealand vs Belgium – BC Place, Vancouver – 05:00 SAST
Photo: REUTERS/Geert Vanden Wijngaert
