Belgium
The seeded favourites. Rudi Garcia's side still leans on golden-generation quality through Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Youri Tielemans and Romelu Lukaku, with the experience to win the group. Read our full Belgium squad guide.
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Group Guide · 2026 World Cup
World Cup 2026 Group G
Group G is led by Belgium and completed by Egypt, the experienced Iran and Oceania's New Zealand. Rudi Garcia's Belgium still carry golden-generation quality through Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, Egypt arrive with Mohamed Salah and a point to prove, and Iran bring their familiar resilience. New Zealand are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010. This West Coast group is played across Seattle, the Los Angeles area and Vancouver. This is the full fixture list with venues and dates, the qualification picture, and a prediction for who reaches the new Round of 32.
G
Group
4
Teams
15 Jun
Belgium vs Egypt
2
Qualify (Plus Best Thirds)
The short version. Group G is Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. It opens with Belgium vs Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle on 15 June, with every game on the West Coast across Seattle, the Los Angeles area and Vancouver. Belgium are strong favourites to win the group, with Egypt and Iran the likeliest challengers for second, and the top two go through automatically alongside the best third-placed teams across the 12 groups.
The Four Teams
Who is in Group G
A European seed with star power, a Pharaohs side carried by one of the world's best forwards, an experienced Asian regular and Oceania's standard-bearers. Here is the Group G field.
Egypt
The Pharaohs. Back at the World Cup for the first time since 2018 under Hossam Hassan, Egypt are built around Mohamed Salah and chasing a first-ever World Cup knockout win. Read our Egypt guide.
Iran
The experienced Asians. One of the continent's most consistent qualifiers, Amir Ghalenoei's Team Melli are organised and hard to beat, with Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh providing the threat. Read our Iran guide.
New Zealand
The Oceania champions. Back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010, the All Whites are resilient and physical, led by striker Chris Wood. Read our New Zealand guide.
The Fixtures
Group G fixtures, venues and dates
Six Group G matches across three matchdays, all played on the West Coast of North America. Belgium play in Seattle, the Los Angeles area and Vancouver, with the other games shared between the same three venues. The two final-round games kick off at the same time. Times below are US Eastern.
Matchday 1 · 15 June
Belgium vs Egypt
Mon 15 Jun 2026
Iran vs New Zealand
Mon 15 Jun 2026
Matchday 2 · 21 June
Belgium vs Iran
Sun 21 Jun 2026
New Zealand vs Egypt
Sun 21 Jun 2026
Matchday 3 · 26 June · Simultaneous kickoff
Egypt vs Iran
Fri 26 Jun 2026
New Zealand vs Belgium
Fri 26 Jun 2026
For the full picture of all 104 games and kickoff times in your own time zone, use the WorldCuply.com match schedule. Belgium's path is covered in detail in our Belgium squad guide.
The Format
How qualification works in Group G
The 2026 World Cup is the first with 48 teams in 12 groups of four. That changes how a group plays out:
- Top two go through. The winner and runner-up of Group G qualify automatically for the new Round of 32, the extra knockout round added for 2026.
- Best thirds matter. The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also advance. That means a strong third place in Group G, with points and goal difference, can still be enough.
- Belgium set the standard. As the seeded side, Belgium will expect to win the group, leaving Egypt and Iran to fight over second and a best-third place.
- The final round is decisive. The matchday-three games kick off simultaneously to keep things fair, so Egypt vs Iran in Seattle and New Zealand vs Belgium in Vancouver will be settled side by side.
The Prediction
Who advances from Group G
A group with one clear favourite and a real scrap for second. Here is how we see it:
- 1st: Belgium. The deepest squad in the group. If De Bruyne and Doku stay fit, Belgium should win Group G and target a deep run.
- 2nd: Egypt. With Mohamed Salah able to decide any game, the Pharaohs have the edge in the race for second and a knockout place.
- 3rd: Iran. Experienced, disciplined and hard to break down. Iran could pip Egypt for second and remain strong contenders for a best-third spot.
- 4th: New Zealand. The All Whites will compete and could frustrate the favourites, but the gap in quality makes qualification a tall order.
Belgium are the standout, but the race for second between Egypt and Iran could go to the final matchday. Follow it live with the schedule and the Match-Day Notifier.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Which teams are in Group G at the 2026 World Cup?
Group G at the 2026 World Cup contains Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. Belgium were the seeded side in Group G after the December 2025 draw, joined by Mohamed Salah's Egypt, the experienced Iran and Oceania's standard-bearers New Zealand.
When does Group G start at the 2026 World Cup?
Group G begins on Monday 15 June 2026 with Belgium against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle, kicking off at noon local time. Iran face New Zealand later the same day at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area.
Where are the Group G matches played?
Group G is played entirely on the West Coast of North America. The three venues are Lumen Field in Seattle, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood near Los Angeles and BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.
What are the full Group G fixtures?
Matchday one: Belgium vs Egypt (15 June, Seattle) and Iran vs New Zealand (15 June, Los Angeles). Matchday two: Belgium vs Iran (21 June, Los Angeles) and New Zealand vs Egypt (21 June, Vancouver). Matchday three: Egypt vs Iran (26 June, Seattle) and New Zealand vs Belgium (26 June, Vancouver).
Who is the favourite to win Group G?
Belgium are clear favourites to win Group G. Rudi Garcia's side still carries golden-generation quality through Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku. Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, are the strongest challenger for second place.
How many teams advance from Group G?
The top two teams in Group G advance to the Round of 32 automatically. Because the 2026 World Cup has 48 teams in 12 groups, the eight best third-placed teams across all groups also qualify, so a strong third place can still be enough to go through.
Can Egypt advance from Group G?
Yes. Egypt are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2018 and arrive with Mohamed Salah in their ranks under coach Hossam Hassan. The Pharaohs are well placed to take second in Group G and chase a first-ever World Cup knockout win.
How strong is Iran in Group G?
Iran are one of Asia's most consistent qualifiers and reached the 2026 finals comfortably under Amir Ghalenoei. Led by forward Mehdi Taremi and winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh, they are experienced and organised, and capable of challenging Egypt for second place.
What are New Zealand's chances in Group G?
New Zealand are the outsiders in Group G as Oceania's representatives, back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010. The All Whites, led by striker Chris Wood, are resilient and physical but face three sides ranked above them.
Who will qualify from Group G?
Our prediction is that Belgium win Group G, with Egypt taking second thanks to Mohamed Salah's quality. Iran are expected to push hard for second and a best-third place, while New Zealand will aim to be competitive in every game.
Keep Reading
More 2026 World Cup coverage
Group G is one of 12 groups at the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Belgium Squad
Rudi Garcia's side, Kevin De Bruyne and the last run of a golden generation in Group G.
Read the Belgium guide ›Egypt Squad
Mohamed Salah and the Pharaohs, back at the World Cup and chasing a first knockout win.
Read the Egypt guide ›Group F
Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia, with the full Group F fixtures, venues and prediction.
Read the Group F guide ›Match Schedule
All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to your team and time zone.
Open the schedule ›Sources
Where this page comes from
This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm the Group G teams, fixtures, venues and dates:
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