Group G at the 2026 World Cup features Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand and will get underway from June 15.
The expanded 48-team tournament means plenty of nations are getting a rare chance to compete at the World Cup.
Iran and New Zealand are certainly among the minnows taking to the field in North America this summer, while Group G itself is arguably one of the easier to be drawn in, as there are not really any top-level teams competing for a spot in the Round of 32.
Belgium are perhaps the best team in the group, but Mohamed Salah’s Egypt could also perform well. Here’s everything you need to know about the four teams in Group G.
Belgium
The Red Devils should be able to qualify for the knockout stages with relative ease. They are ninth in FIFA’s world rankings, the highest position of any team in their group.
They will play Egypt in Seattle on June 15 before facing Iran on June 21 in Inglewood and New Zealand on June 27 in Vancouver.
It’s a kinder schedule than some other teams in the tournament, playing two matches in the US before travelling to Canada for their final game.
Belgium will be looking to surpass their best-ever World Cup finish this summer, previously managing to secure third place at the 2018 event in Russia.
Their squad now looks somewhat short of star power compared to back then, but players like Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku are expected to be key to whatever success they have in North America.
Egypt
Egypt were ranked 29th in the FIFA rankings prior to the 2026 World Cup after reaching the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
They will begin their World Cup campaign against Belgium on June 15. The Pharaohs then face New Zealand on June 22 in Vancouver before taking on Iran in Seattle on June 27.
Previously, the African nation have only competed at three World Cups. They missed out on the 2022 tournament in Qatar, did not make it past the group stage in 2018 or 1990, and previously made it to the Round of 16 back in 1934.
If Egypt are to make it out of Group G and potentially into the latter stages of the competition, Mohamed Salah will be a key asset.
He was one of the best players in the world for many years, but he comes into this tournament on the back of a mixed season with Liverpool.
Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush will be another player to watch this summer.
Iran
Iran are ranked as the 20th-best team in the world by FIFA ahead of Group G getting underway.
They are competing at their seventh World Cup, but have never made it past the group phase at any of the previous tournaments.
Iran most recently competed at the 2022 tournament, winning one and losing two of their matches.
Mehdi Taremi and Mehdi Ghayedi are among the more high-profile Iranian players competing in North America.
Their campaign begins on June 16 against New Zealand before clashes with Belgium on June 21 and Egypt on June 27.
New Zealand
New Zealand are by far the biggest underdog in Group G, sitting 85th in the FIFA rankings.
Like Iran, they have never made it past the group stage of a World Cup, only competing at the tournament twice throughout their history.
They will face Iran on June 16, Egypt on June 22 and Belgium on June 27.
There is a dearth of quality in the New Zealand squad, but Wrexham’s Liberato Cacace and Premier League striker Chris Wood are among the best options they have at their disposal.
World Cup Group G prediction
With three places potentially seeing sides qualify for the knockout phase this year, every team has some chance of making it into the Round of 32.
However, Belgium, who have been on an impressive run in the lead up to this tournament, are the clear favourites to win.
Egypt will likely take the second automatic qualification spot, while Iran should just about have enough to finish above New Zealand.
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