Check out our other previews: Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F
Belgium
Best World Cup finish: Third place in 2018; Appearances: 13; World Ranking: 9
As the sun sets on their golden generation of the 2010s, it can be argued that Belgium have underachieved in major tournaments given their talented squad, but they head into the World Cup chiselled and experienced, along with a favourable group.
Path to the finals
Speaking of favourable groups, the Red Devils breezed through qualifying in Europe to book their plane to a fourth-straight finals. Five wins, three draws and no losses saw them top Group J, but a draw to Mexico in April does mean they have some work to do to go deep at the World Cup.
Key player
For any team that has ambitions of winning it all, a world-class goalkeeper is a must. Manager Rudi Garcia has one of the best to pick in Thibaut Courtois. He has consistently impressed over the years with Real Madrid and has 107 caps for his national side. He ranks in the top percentiles for saves made across Europe, and at 34, this is perhaps his last chance to make an impact on the biggest stage. He also missed out due to a dispute with former coach Domenico Todesco on EURO 2024, giving him that extra motivation to make an impact.
Editor’s view
Belgium failed to get out of their group in 2022, and if history repeats itself over the summer, it will spell disaster given their group. Matching their 2018 result will be a challenge - their ageing squad, including Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Courtois, will have to be at their best in difficult conditions, whilst Garcia will hope Jeremy Doku can show his Manchester City form at the tournament.
Flashscore prediction
Qualifying top of their group should not prove a difficult task for Belgium, but then the real work begins. They are likely to come up against a world-class side in the round of 16 or the quarter-finals, and once that happens, it feels like that will be the end of their road. A quarter-final feels the minimum for the Red Devils - anything further will be a bonus.
Fixtures
June 15th, 21:00 CET: Belgium vs Egypt - Lumen Field, Seattle
June 21st, 21:00 CET: Belgium vs Iran - SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
June 27th, 05:00 CET: New Zealand vs Belgium - BC Place, Vancouver
Egypt
Best World Cup finish: Round of 16 in 1934; Appearances: 3; World Ranking: 29
Two draws, five losses - Africa’s most successful team on the continent have a near-century-long curse to end at the World Cup, as they chase their first-ever win at the tournament. This is their best chance given the expanded World Cup, in what could be a last hurrah for their country’s biggest superstar.
Path to the finals
Qualifying from Africa has been historically difficult, but with this 48-team World Cup, the road to the Americas was more serene for Egypt this time around. Eight wins and two draws from their 10 qualifiers saw them top Group A with 26 points as they scored 20 goals whilst conceding just two. Mohamed Salah - more about him later - netted nine times to keep his international momentum going.
Key player
There is no bigger figure in Egypt than Mo Salah. A talisman for his nation, he is swamped by media every time he moves and that pressure will hang over him when he dons the national shirt this summer. In his 115-cap career so far, he has scored 67 times, but just two of those goals have come at World Cups. This is his final frontier, and at 34, it could also be his last chance for international glory.
He will captain his side, understandably, and will be flanked by Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, who can provide a filip to his talent, taking some of the expectation off Salah’s shoulders. Another interesting narrative with the Egyptian is he will become a free agent during the World Cup after leaving Liverpool - how much that will hang over him remains to be seen.
Editor’s view
Egypt are certainly the second strongest side in Group G, and as long as they don’t make any poor slip-ups, playing their first knockout game since 1934 should be on the cards. A third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations suggests a strong side will take to the pitch this summer.
Flashscore prediction
As stated above, Egypt should make history at this tournament - their first task will be to simply win a game, before making it into the round of 32. Despite having two legitimately top attacking players, this Egypt team showed limitations at AFCON, and it would be a shock to see them still playing once the final week rolls around. Expect them to reach the knockouts, but bow out soon after.
Fixtures
June 15th, 21:00 CET: Belgium vs Egypt - Lumen Field, Seattle
June 22nd, 03:00 CET: New Zealand vs Egypt - BC Place, Vancouver
June 27th, 05:00 CET: Egypt vs Iran - Lumen Field, Seattle
Iran
Best World Cup finish: Group Stage; Appearances: 6; World Ranking: 21
Off the pitch, matters have overshadowed Iran’s preparations for their seventh World Cup. They are going to the Americas under the shadow of war after the USA and Israel launched an operation back in March. Just playing at the tournament in a nation with which they are currently at war is an almost unprecedented situation, meaning minds may not be on the games come June.
Path to the finals
Iran were strong in qualification, topping Group A of the Asian sector’s third stage, losing just once in 10 games. Their star man, Mehdi Taremi, netted five times in that time, as he jointly led the scoring during that round of the elongated Asian qualifying.
Key player
Records are meant to be broken, and it could be the time for Taremi at this World Cup. Now 33, he has already netted at two at World Cups, the most of any Iranian, and is likely to extend that record in the US. A physical player who links up play well, he will drop deep to bring others into play. With 60 goals in 107 appearances for the Iranian national team, he is a clinical finisher - defences will want to keep him quiet throughout the group.
Editor’s view
It’s hard to surmise the plight of Iran’s national players heading into the tournament. They are representing a nation at war with one of the hosts, going, in essence, behind enemy lines to take part in their third-straight World Cup. They have already had their training base moved to Tijuana in Mexico by FIFA, but uncertainty looms large over just how they will play their games in the US.
Many countries have faced visa issues, and yet FIFA have struggled to maintain control over this complex situation. Their games, then, feel almost secondary to the logistics, but just one win could be enough to see them extend their stay into the knockouts.
Flashscore prediction
Iran have never made it out of the group stage at a World Cup, but with 32 teams advancing this time around, this is the best shot. Much will hinge on their match against New Zealand, one they will be confident of picking up all three points. Getting past that first hurdle will be an achievement in its own right, and one that is within their grasp.
Fixtures
June 16th, 03:00 CET: Iran vs New Zealand - SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
June 21st, 21:00 CET: Belgium vs Iran - SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
June 27th, 05:00 CET: Egypt vs Iran - Lumen Field, Seattle
New Zealand
Best World Cup finish: Group Stage; Appearances: 2; World Ranking: 85
The lowest-ranked side in this group, New Zealand, took advantage of the Oceania Football Confederation’s first automatic spot at the World Cup to make their third tournament, and their first since 2010. In that tournament, they were the only unbeaten team, but went out in the group stage after three straight draws, including one against the much-fancied Italian side.
Path to the finals
Of all the qualifying routes into the World Cup, other than hosting, New Zealand’s was the simplest. Dominant in OFC qualification, they breezed through, conceding just once overall as they finished it off with a 3-0 win over New Caledonia on home soil.
Key player
If you say New Zealand to most football fans, they think of one man - Chris Wood. The striker is the country’s record scorer and was named the youngest captain in their history back in 2014. Since then, he has been metronomic for the All Whites, netting nine goals during qualifying, whilst bringing that Premier League experience to a squad that lacks it. He will have to be at his absolute best if they can get their nation dreaming.
Editor’s view
With Wood in the starting lineup, they have a frontman they can target, but New Zealand will need more than that to seriously compete in this group. Late injury worries to Joe Bell and Ryan Thomas certainly don’t help, but much like Iran, a lot will depend on their match. If they can snatch a win in that encounter, then the round of 32 is not out of the question.
Flashscore prediction
Escaping the group may be a step too far for this New Zealand team, despite the presence of Wood. The Iran game is the make-or-break tie, but they should be competitive against Egypt and Belgium.
Fixtures
June 16th, 03:00 CET: Iran vs New Zealand - SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
June 22nd, 03:00 CET: New Zealand vs Egypt - BC Place, Vancouver
June 27th, 05:00 CET: New Zealand vs Belgium - BC Place, Vancouver