World Cup 2026 Group G Preview: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

The golden generation of Belgium is over... or is it? De Bruyne, Lukaku and Courtois return to the World Cup to give it one more try, and they've been given a chance to start hot, as they're put alongside Iran, Egypt and New Zealand. Mo Salah will try to will the Egyptians to the knockout stage and Iran will stand on its veteran side.

Belgium (Red Devils)

Coach Rudi Garcia

Hot take. Regardless of the aging core, this is an extremely talented Belgian side, and they were given a favorable draw. They'll make it to the round of 16 at least, but their expiration date is likely before the quarterfinals.

One thing to know that'll make you sound smart to your friends. "This is almost certainly the last dance for De Bruyne, Lukaku and Courtois."

Word from home. Coach Rudi Garcia, setting the bar for the Red Devils' campaign:

"We have the right to dream." Rudi Garcia, FIFA

The story. The story last World Cup was the waning golden generation that never quite achieved success. Much of them are still here though, as Garcia chose veterans over youth.

Head vs. heart. Opta's supercomputer makes Belgium clear group favorites, 89.6 percent to advance and 51.9 percent to top the group, but only 2.4 percent for the title.

One thing to read. The Last Time Belgium Lit Up the World Cup: A Run to the 1986 Semi-Finals, These Football Times (2018).

Egypt (The Pharaohs)

Coach Hossam Hassan

Hot take. Salah's last World Cup, and the year Egypt finally win a match.

One thing to know that'll make you sound smart to your friends. "Egypt hold the record for the most Africa Cup of Nations titles, with seven, yet across three previous World Cups they have never won a single match."

Word from home. Coach Hossam Hassan, a former national team player, on his team:

"They want to achieve more than what Egypt did in past World Cups." Hossam Hassan, Egypt Today

The story. Mohamed Salah's last dance.

Head vs. heart. Opta's supercomputer gives Egypt a 68.2 percent chance of the knockouts, narrowly the group's second favorite.

One thing to read. Tragedy, Joy and Disappointment: The Story of Football in Egypt, WBUR / Only a Game (2018).

Iran (Team Melli)

Coach Amir Ghalenoei

Hot take. Iran makes it happen, they knock Egypt down to third place in the group stage, heading to the knockout round.

One thing to know that'll make you sound smart to your friends. "Iran has never made it out of the group stage of the competition."

Word from home. Iranian captain Ehsan Hajsafi projected confidence:

"Our group is a good one, and we have the ability to advance from it"  Ehsan Hajsafi, Varzesh3.

The story. Unfortunately the story right now is outside of soccer. The US is not allowing Iran to stay in the country after playing its games. The Iranians must travel from Mexico, play their game, then travel back on the same day.

Head vs. heart. Opta's supercomputer gives Iran a 64.3 percent chance of the round of 32, with little between them and Egypt for second.

One thing to read. Should England Fans Support Iran?, UnHerd (2022).

New Zealand (All Whites)

Coach Darren Bazeley

Hot take. The lowest-ranked team here plays like nobody's watching, nicks a draw, and ruins somebody's tournament.

One thing to know that'll make you sound smart to your friends. "At the 2010 World Cup, New Zealand went unbeaten, three draws, and still didn't make it out of the group."

Word from home. Coach Darren Bazeley on what it all means:

"Now the time for discussions is over, we need to head to the tournament and take the opportunity in front of us to make history for New Zealand." Darren Bazeley, NZ Football

The story. New Zealand arrives at the 2026 World Cup as the lowest ranked team.

Head vs. heart. Opta's supercomputer doesn't expect New Zealand to advance out of the group, hitting the knockouts in only 48 percent of simulations.

One thing to read. 1982 and All That: New Zealand's World Cup Odyssey, Beyond the Last Man (2020).

Group G: Fixtures to watch / predictions

Fixtures to watch.

• Mon, Jun 15: Belgium vs Egypt, 3:00 p.m. ET (FOX / Telemundo)
• Sun, Jun 21: Belgium vs Iran, 3:00 p.m. ET (FS1 / Telemundo)
• Fri, Jun 26: New Zealand vs Belgium, 11:00 p.m. ET (FOX / Telemundo)
• Fri, Jun 26: Egypt vs Iran, 11:00 p.m. ET (FS1 / Universo)

The call.