World Cup 2026 Group G: Belgium, Egypt & Iran

Group G at the 2026 World Cup pits a golden generation making its final bow against two rising powers and a first-timer hungry for history. Belgium, led by Kevin De Bruyne at what will almost certainly be his last World Cup, headline a group that also features Mohamed Salah's Egypt, the experienced Iran of Mehdi Taremi, and a New Zealand side arriving with a direct qualification place for the very first time. The action starts on June 15, with Belgium against Egypt in Seattle and Iran facing New Zealand in Los Angeles. Here is your complete guide: squads, schedule, key players, and predictions.

The Four Teams in Group G

• Belgium (UEFA): the golden generation, with De Bruyne, chasing one last great tournament.
• Egypt (CAF): the Pharaohs and Mohamed Salah, back after eight years.
• Iran (AFC): Team Melli, one of the most experienced squads at the tournament.
• New Zealand (OFC): the All Whites, at the World Cup with a direct place for the first time.

The Schedule: Three June Matchdays

Group G is spread across two venues in the United States and one in Canada, between June 15 and 26:

• Matchday 1 — June 15: Belgium vs Egypt in Seattle (Lumen Field) and Iran vs New Zealand in Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium).
• Matchday 2 — June 21: Belgium vs Iran in Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium) and New Zealand vs Egypt in Vancouver (BC Place).
• Matchday 3 — June 26: Egypt vs Iran in Seattle (Lumen Field) and New Zealand vs Belgium in Vancouver (BC Place).

Belgium: The Golden Generation's Last Dance

Belgium are the clear group favourites and appear to be approaching the final chapter for their celebrated golden generation. They are managed by Rudi Garcia, the first French coach in the history of the Red Devils, with Kevin De Bruyne — now at Napoli after leaving Manchester City — orchestrating everything from midfield at the age of 34 in what is set to be his farewell World Cup. He is supported by prolific striker Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), the unpredictability of Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), and the engine of Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), with Youri Tielemans captaining the side. Opta projects Belgium to top the group in more than half of all simulations (51.9%) and gives them an 89.6% chance of advancing.

Egypt: Salah's Pharaohs

Egypt return to the World Cup after eight years, led by their superstar captain Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), who arrives just two goals away from breaking his country's all-time international scoring record — a record currently held by his own manager, Hossam Hassan, the national team legend turned head coach. The Pharaohs combine Salah's star quality with the clinical finishing of Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), the experience of Trézéguet, and the reliability of goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy (Al-Ahly) between the posts. Opta gives them a 68.2% chance of advancing, setting up a remarkably tight contest with Iran for second place.

Iran: The Experience of Team Melli

Iran are one of Asia's most consistent football nations and arrive at their seventh World Cup having topped their qualifying group. Amir Ghalenoei manages one of the oldest squads at the tournament — their average age exceeds 30 — built around captain and talisman Mehdi Taremi (Olympiacos). That experience, combined with the threat of Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Jahanbakhsh, makes Team Melli a genuinely tough side to beat. Opta gives them a 64.3% chance of advancing, just a fraction behind Egypt — making their head-to-head on June 26 potentially decisive for qualification.

New Zealand: The All Whites' Dream

New Zealand are writing their own piece of history: for the first time ever they have reached the World Cup via a direct OFC berth, and they arrive with the ambition of claiming their first ever win at a World Cup finals. They are managed by Englishman Darren Bazeley and built entirely around their captain and all-time record scorer and most-capped player, Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest). Alongside veteran Tommy Smith — appearing at his second World Cup — the All Whites will rely on their physicality and organisation. Opta gives them a 47.8% chance of advancing, a surprisingly high figure for a direct debutant: they will be in the fight for second place.

Favourites and Predictions

The favourite at the top is clear; below that, it is a three-way scramble. Belgium (89.6%) dominate and are projected to win the group in more than half of all simulations; for second place, just a few percentage points separate Egypt (68.2%), Iran (64.3%), and a surprisingly competitive New Zealand (47.8%). The Egypt-Iran clash on the final matchday, June 26, looks like an early knockout tie for a place in the round of 16, with Salah and Taremi as the leading men.

"Group G has everything: the last dance of a golden generation, two global superstars in Salah and De Bruyne, Iranian experience, and New Zealand's historic dream. Belgium are the favourites — but second place is anyone's game."

Simulate World Cup 2026 Group G

The tournament is already under way, but at Fut Simulator Pro you can play out Group G on your own terms. Simulate all six matches — Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand — play through all three matchdays, and find out whether De Bruyne bows out with a group title or whether Egypt, Iran, or New Zealand spring a surprise.

• Simulate all 6 Group G matches and build the final standings
• Find out whether Belgium claim the group in style
• Discover who joins Belgium from among Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand
• Take your team all the way through the 2026 World Cup to the final

"A golden generation taking their final bow, two world-class stars, and a team of dreamers. Group G at the 2026 World Cup has its cast — in the simulator, you write the ending."