Belgium vs Iran Predictions
Belgium were frustrated in their opening fixture, but the Red Devils should have enough attacking quality to claim their first World Cup win.
I fancy the Europeans to win with at least three goals scored.
Red Devils Backed to Win
- Belgium won 5 of their last 7 matches
- Belgium are unbeaten in their last 14 matches
- Belgium have seen over 2.5 goals in 9 of their last 10 wins
First Meeting Between Belgium and Iran
Belgium and Iran will meet for the first time on Sunday.
Belgium Held by Egypt
Belgium come into their second Group G fixture after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Egypt in their World Cup opener.
All-time leading goal scorer Romelu Lukaku stepped off the bench to force a Mohamed Hany own goal as the Red Devils came from behind to snatch a point at Lumen Field.
Both teams had their chances in an evenly balanced encounter. Belgium finished the contest with 54% posessopm, while registering just one more effort on goal (15-14) than the Egyptians. .
While not considered the force of recent years, Rudi Garcia's side remain in solid form, having avoided defeat in 14 internationals since March 2025.
More recently, Belgium picked up victories in five of their last seven interational fixtures.
Iran Held by New Zealand
Iran arrive at SoFi Stadium after an entertaining 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their first Group G fixture. Mohammad Mohebi's 15th international goal rescued a point for Team Melli after a competitive contest against the Kiwis.
Iran showed plenty of attacking quality, but Amir Ghalenoei's side will have been frustrated to only claim a point from a winnable opening match. Ranked 20th in the world, Iran sit over 60 places ahead of the New Zealanders in the FIFA World Rankings.
Still, final xG totals of 1.5 and 1.24, respectively, reflected the competitive nature of the contest.in Inglewood.
The Asian qualifiers have shown some improved form after a poor run at the end of last year. After losing three and winning just one of six games, Amir Ghalenoei's side are unbeaten in their last four matches (W3, D1).
Squads and Team News
Belgium Squad
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Senne Lammens, Mike Penders
Defenders: Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper, Thomas Meunier, Koni De Winter, Joaquin Seys, Timothy Castagne, Nathan Ngoy
Midfielders: Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Diego Moreira, Hans Vanaken, Nicolas Raskin, Amadou Onana
Forwards: Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard, Jeremy Doku, Dodi Lukebakio, Charles De Ketelaere, Alexis Saelemaekers, Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Head coach Garcia could bring Romelu Lukaku back into the starting XI after the experienced forward made an immediate impact in the draw against Egypt.
Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard are expected to provide the creative support behind Belgium's all-time leading scorer.
Man City winger Jeremy Doku will not feature due to a viral infection.
Garcia admitted his side were below their best in the first half after falling behind to Emam Ashour's superb strike, but praised the impact of substitute Romelu Lukaku in the second period.
"We should have been better as a team in the first half," Garcia said. "I'm happy for Romelu. When you're an opponent, and you see Lukaku coming onto the pitch, you're probably quaking in your boots, and your level of concern is on the rise."
Looking ahead to Sunday's clash with Iran, Garcia stressed the importance of securing all three points as Belgium chase a place in the knockout rounds for the first time since 2018.
"We have to win against Iran. There are no two ways about it."
Iran Squad
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand, Payam Niazmand, Hossein Hosseini
Defenders: Saleh Hardani, Ehsan Hajsafi, Shojae Khalilzadeh, Milad Mohammadi, Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Aria Yousefi, Ali Nemati, Ramin Rezaeian, Danial Eiri
Midfielders: Saeid Ezatolahi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mohammad Mohebi, Saman Ghoddos, Rouzbeh Cheshmi, Mahdi Torabi, Mohammad Ghorbani, Amirmohammad Razzaghinia
Forwards: Mehdi Taremi, Mehdi Ghayedi, Ali Alipour, Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh, Shahriyar Moghanlou, Dennis Eckert
Iran boss Ghalenoei is expected to keep faith with much of the side that earned a draw against New Zealand.
The Asian qualifiers have a couple of injury concerns ahead of Sunday's Group G clash. Roozbeh Cheshmi remains doubtful, while Saman Ghoddos faces a late fitness test.