Belgium Favoured in World Cup Group G Amid Iran Conflict
Belgium enter Group G of the 2026 World Cup as favourites, with Iran, Egypt and New Zealand completing the draw. The group will host the tournament’s earliest high‑profile encounters, including Iran’s matches played from a base in Mexico.
Iran’s conflict with the United States, which began in late February, has forced the Iranian squad to relocate to Mexico and travel to the United States only on match days. Their three group games are scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Belgium are expected to top the group, while Iran and Egypt will battle for the second place that decides the final group match, dubbed the Pride Match in Seattle during Pride weekend. If Iran finish second and the United States finish second in Group D, the two nations at war could meet in the round of 32 in Dallas on 3 July.
Belgium’s squad includes goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Senne Lammens and Mike Penders; defenders Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Maxim De Cuyper, Koni De Winter, Brandon Mechele, Thomas Meunier, Nathan Ngoy, Joaquin Seys and Arthur Theate; midfielders Kevin De Bruyne, Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken and Axel Witsel; forwards Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Diego Moreira, Alexis Saelemaekers and Leandro Trossard; and coach Rudi Garcia.
Egypt’s squad features goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir, El Mahdi Soliman and Mohamed Alaa; defenders Mohamed Hany, Tarek Alaa, Hamdy Fathy, Rami Rabia and Yasser Ibrahim; and forwards Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. Egypt reached the African Cup of Nations semi‑finals this year, narrowly losing to Senegal, and will look to counter‑attack with Salah and Marmoush.
Belgium sit ninth in the FIFA rankings with odds of 33/1 to win the tournament. Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard are highlighted as key attacking options, while Egypt will rely on Salah’s experience and Marmoush’s pace to keep a tight defensive shape.