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GROUP G - a Simple CS WC Guide
Team-by-Team Insight - Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
nick lochner
June 06, 2026
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Missed a previous Group release - Click below
Group F is considered 9 of 12 toughest
Group G Teams in a Sentence
Belgium - Talent all across the field, young and old.
Egypt - A couple superstars could make the difference.
Iran - Defend. Defend. Defend.
New Zealand - Punch above their skillset and look for magic in crosses.
Where Group G finishers will play
1G Winner
2G Second Place
3G Third Place (8 of 12 will qualify)
1G gets a 3, 2G gets 2D, if qualified 3G would get 1B or 1I
Group G Schedule (times are CST)
Match 16 Monday 6/15 Seattle, 2p - FOX - Belgium v Egypt
Match 15 Monday 6/15 LA, 8p - FS1 - Iran v New Zealand
Match 39 Sunday 6/21 LA, 12p - FOX - Belgium v Iran
Match 40 Sunday 6/21 Vancouver, 11p - FS1 - New Zealand v Egypt
Match 64 Friday 6/26 Vancouver, 10p - FOX - New Zealand v Belgium
Match 63 Friday 6/26 Seattle, 10p - FS1 - Egypt v Iran
Group ODDS (+110 = bet $100 to win $110, -250 = bet $250 to win $100)
To Advance out of Group G
| To Win Group G
| To Win the World Cup
|
CS Analysis
Belgium head to 2026 with a mix of experienced stars and exciting new talent, still possessing the quality to reach the semi-finals. For Belgium to make a deep run they will need their “experienced” older talent to mesh with young stars. They will look to counter and transition. This side could make the finals or drop out in the round of 32. | Most Interesting Player  Jeremy Doku (Man City) Post-golden-generation fans have quickly fallen in love with Doku. Pure excitement as Belgium’s new poster boy. Blistering speed and 1v1 wizardry create dynamic, game-breaking plays that media is hyping as the next global superstar. |
Egypt bring their African powerhouse status, physicality and set-piece threat, led by experience and star quality including a healthy Mo Salah. Not as much depth as other teams. The team will stay compact and look to release Mo and Omar Marmoush into free space where they can use their pace and skill in one-on-one situations. | Most Interesting Player  Mo Salah (Liverpool) The “Egyptian King”. National treasure and greatest-ever Pharaoh. Record-chasing storyline brings huge emotional weight. His explosive pace and goal-scoring brilliance remain dynamically unstoppable. |
Iran arrive with their trademark defensive discipline and rapid counterattacks. They are Asia’s most consistent performers. Medhi Taremi recorded 10 goals in 15 qualifying games as one of Africa’s qualifying teams most productive strikers. Politics The team will be at the tournament, that was in doubt and there are questions around IRGC involvement in the team and their ability to get into the USA. When the women played in Australia earlier this year there were several players who wanted to stay but may have been forced to return. Iran will be staying in Guadalajara, Mexico and only entering the USA on game days. IN ADDITION Lots of talk about Seattle declaring the match between Egypt and Iran on June 25 the Pride Match. Both Egypt and Iran have formally objected based on their own country’s morality laws. | Most Interesting Player  Medhi Taremi (Olympiacos) Captain and all-time great that Iranian fans love. Consistent Champions League performer with clinical finishing and a great work rate. |
New Zealand make their return with a young, athletic squad and the famous “All Whites” fighting energy. If this club brings intensity and finds Chris Wood in their opponent’s box, they could make things interesting. This side could also look slow and rarely touch the ball if they are not playing well. | Most Interesting Player  Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) All-time leading scorer and captain whom Kiwi fans love. Big physical presence and finishing paired with big “Oceania pride”, Chris will be fun to watch. |
In Summary
Belgium’s golden generation (still potent under their manager) bring new young talent and the best manager in the group, Rudi Garcia. If they “click” they could dominate. Egypt may have the biggest difference maker in Mo Salah and their counter-attacking grit top heavy side could also “click”. Iran is going to defend, the question is will it be good enough. New Zealand will play a physical, direct style and try to give Chris Wood as many chances as possible. Could be lot of goals in Belgium v Egypt as both sides will attack with proven scorers. In contrast Iran v New Zealand could be very defensive with a focus on long balls and an aerial attack.
CS Picks
G1 Belgium
G2 Egypt
G3 Iran
G4 New Zealand
More On Each Country & National Team Below
Belgium  Visiting?
| “The Kingdon of Chocolate” (CS’s favorite) Population: 12M Area: 11,000 Miles2 Region: Northern Europe Capital: Brussels Language: Flemish, Dutch, French, German Greeting: Bonjour, Hallo, Guten Tag Cuisine: Beer, Chocolate, Waffles, French Fries. Steak and fries or Mussels and fries is considered the national dish. And yes, you eat the fries with mayo. And the waffles are not a breakfast food. They do not have syrup, but do have cream, berries, powdered sugar, and chocolate. |
 | De Rode Duivels “The Red Devils” Group G World Ranking 9 WC Apps. 14 Best WC Finish: 3rd 2018 FIFA Governing Body: UEFA Head Coach: Rudi Garcia (French) Captain: Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) All Time Top Scorer: Romelu Lukaku (124 caps, 89 goals) sill play this tournament |
About the Team
“The Golden Generation” of Belgian soccer is now at the end of their careers and there are several young talents on the roster, the question is how the handoff will occur and will it create results on the pitch. Stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku need to lead and mesh with a wave of young attackers in Jeremy Doku, Lois Openda and Charles De Ketelaere who are among the most exciting young players in European soccer.
The Fans The Red Devils are passionate, colorful, and unified - even bridging Belgium's linguistic divides (Flemish, Walloon, and German-speaking communities). Red is the color emphasized.  | Players to Watch
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Egypt  Visiting?
| The “Gift of the Nile” Population: 104M Area: 386,000 Miles2 Region: North Africa Capital: Cairo Language: Arabic Greeting: As-salamu alaykum Cuisine: Considered a very old, traditional, cuisine. Rich, diverse centered on veggies, legumes, grains and spices. Eish, pita bread, is very popular. Koshari is the national dish, rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas topped with spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. |
 | The Pharaohs Group G World Ranking 29 WC Apps. 4 Best WC Finish: Group Stage FIFA Governing Body: CAF Head Coach: Hossam Hassan (Egyptian) Captain: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) All Time Top Scorer: Hossam Hassan (177 caps, 69 goals) in the early 1980’s, 1990’s & 2000’s. |
About the Team
The qualifying campaign was everything you would want, unbeaten across 10 matches, only two goals conceded, and running away with the group title. Yet, Egypt have never won a WC match in their four-tournament try’s.
The Fans The Pharaohs are some of the most passionate in Africa, famous for their drumming, chanting and flag displays. Expect 90 minutes of singing. Also, don’t be surprised if they bring politics into play, they are noted for their activism.  | Players to Watch
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Iran  Visiting?
| “Land of the Aryans” Population: 85 M Area: 640,000 Miles2 Region: Middle East Capital: Tehran Language: Farsi (Persian) Greeting: Khosh Amadin (Welcome) Cuisine: Rich and aromatic. Rice, stews, kababs. Chelow Kabab is the national dish featuring grilled meat with saffron rice. Fruits are often included like pomegranates, plums, quince, apricots and raisins adding sweetness to the spicy. |
 | Team Melli Group G World Ranking 21 WC Apps. 7 Best WC Finish: 14th 1978 FIFA Governing Body: AFC Head Coach: Amir Ghalenoei (Iranian) Captain: Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Dender, Iran) All Time Top Scorer: Ali Daei (148 caps, 108 goals) in the 1990’s & 2000’s. |
About the Team
One of Asia's most experienced qualifiers, making their fourth consecutive appearance in the WC under coach Amir Ghalenoei. In qualifying, Iran lost only 1 of 16 AFC matches and finished eight points clear of third-placed UAE in their group. Will need to watch which players make the club, already one player, Sardar Azmoun was not named to the team, and while it was reported because of injury it is rumored to be for political reasons.
The Fans Team Melli have deep national pride. Fans are known for filling streets and public spaces and mixing traditional Persian celebrations, music, and poetry with soccer chants. The support is loud and heartfelt, especially as underdogs. Iran doesn't have a dominant ultra-organized hooligan-style scene—it's more about collective national joy.  | Players to Watch
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New Zealand  Visiting?
| “Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud” Kiwi’s - New Zealanders Population: 5M Area: 100,000 Miles2 Region: Oceania Capital: Wellington Language: English & Maori Greeting: Hello Cuisine: Shaped by the indigenous Maori culture, means sweet potatoes. Hangi has meat and veggies cooked underground, a natural smoker. Fish & Chips. Meat pies. For dessert, it’s pavlova made from meringue topped with fruit and cream. |
 | All Whites Group G World Ranking 85 WC Apps. 2 Best WC Finish: Group Stage FIFA Governing Body: OFC Head Coach: Darren Bazeley (New Zealander) Captain: Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) All Time Top Scorer: Chris Wood (88 caps, 45 goals) will be playing in this world cup. |
About the Team
Back in the World Cup for the first time since 2010 this side dominated their qualifying winning all 5 of their matches and conceding just one goal. While Rugby leads the way in terms of national focus, Soccer is right up there and there is energy around this club.
The Fans The All Whites. They Flying Kiwis. The White Noise. Regardless of name, they are passionate and tight knit. Soccer sits behind rugby (The All Blacks) as the nation’s favorite sport but New Zealanders are loyal to their national teams. Compared to Europe or South America the fan base is more low-key and friendly than intense. BUT, they punch above their weight. If you travel from New Zealand to away matches, you are committed.  | Players to Watch
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