World Cup 2026 Group G Preview & Picks - Belgians Likely to Top Section

Rudi Garcia’s side are no longer the dominant force seen at previous World Cups, but are still expected to comfortably finish top of Group G.

In what looks like a relatively modest group, Belgium should progress as winners. However, odds of 1.36 offer skinny value given their inconsistent form over the past two years.

Here’s a closer look at Group G

Belgium are clear favourites to win Group G, even if they are no longer the force that reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018.

A group-stage exit in Qatar four years ago surprised many after their third-place finish in 2018 and quarter-final run in 2014. The Red Devils came through UEFA qualifying unbeaten, but they were not always convincing.

A 4-3 win against Wales highlighted their attacking quality but also exposed defensive concerns after they allowed a 3-0 lead to slip before Kevin De Bruyne’s late winner. Rudi Garcia’s side also eased to a 4-2 win in Wales, again showing that their qualities lie in the final third.

Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard finished their Premier League campaigns in excellent form, while De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku remain vital members of the expected first XI despite ongoing fitness concerns.

Elsewhere, Thibaut Courtois and Youri Tielemans provide experience through the spine of the side. However, defensive frailties remain a concern, with a lack of depth and consistency in selection potentially causing issues this summer.

Still, with Egypt, Iran and New Zealand all lacking Belgium’s overall quality and depth, the Red Devils look likely to finish top of Group G.

Egypt look the most obvious challenger to Belgium and should be confident of finishing in the automatic qualification positions.

The Pharaohs have built momentum under Hossam Hassan, qualifying for the World Cup with a 3-0 win against Djibouti, as outgoing Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah scored twice to seal their place at the finals.

Hassan’s side strolled through the qualification campaign, remaining unbeaten while dropping just four points in ten games. They finished five points clear of Burkina Faso in CAF Group A.

Defensively strong, Egypt conceded just twice as they sealed World Cup qualification for only the fourth time in their history, and only the second in the 21st century after their 2018 appearance in Russia.

Preparations have also been encouraging, with a commanding 4-0 win against Saudi Arabia in March followed by a narrow 1-0 success against Russia in Cairo at the end of May.

Salah remains the central figure for Egypt, holding near-deity status among his countrymen and teammates. Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush adds another major attacking weapon for a side with serious hopes of qualifying from the group phase for the first time since their debut appearance at the 1934 World Cup.

Egypt are likely to be compact and direct, with their best work coming from defensively sound structure, quick counter-attacks and individual quality in the final third.

Belgium should have more technical quality across the pitch, but Egypt look better equipped than Iran and New Zealand to claim second place.

Iran arrive in the USA after a chaotic build-up to the tournament, with political controversy, logistical disruption and inconsistent recent form all creating serious concerns ahead of their Group G campaign.

Due to the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, Team Melli’s World Cup base has been moved to Tijuana because of visa and security concerns. President Trump’s suggestion that it would not be appropriate for Iran to be based in the US “for their own life and safety” is unlikely to ease tensions ahead of fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle.

Against that backdrop, Iran have at least picked up some confidence-boosting friendly results, securing dominant wins against Costa Rica 5-0 and Gambia 3-1 in their last two outings.

Before those victories, Iran had failed to win four of five friendlies at the end of last year, including 2-1 defeats against Russia and Nigeria.

Their preparations have also been overshadowed by the political controversy surrounding Sardar Azmoun, with the 57-goal striker left out of the preliminary squad after social media posts and public criticism of the Iranian regime divided public opinion.

Still, World Cup qualification was secured with relative ease. Amir Ghalenoei’s side, ranked 21st in the world, lost just one of 16 qualifiers across two rounds, eventually finishing top of AFC qualification Group 3, eight points clear of third-placed UAE.

Appearing at their fourth successive finals, Iran’s finals record remains uninspiring. Team Melli have won just three of their 18 previous matches at the tournament, failing to move beyond the group phase in each of their six previous appearances.

Mehdi Taremi remains the star turn in a relatively inexperienced squad. The Olympiakos forward has scored 60 goals in 104 international appearances.

Despite all of the off-field issues, Iran are sure to be competitive, boasting physicality, organisation and tournament know-how, but the continued uncertainty surrounding their build-up could prove a major hindrance this summer.

Likely to be involved in a three-way fight for second spot, Iran could build momentum with a winnable opener against New Zealand on June 16. However, they will need to find new levels if they are to secure knockout-stage qualification for the first time.

New Zealand are the clear outsiders in Group G but will take plenty of heart from their last World Cup appearance in 2010.

The All Whites booked their place at the finals with a 3-0 win against New Caledonia in the OFC qualifying final, confirming their return to the tournament for the first time in 16 years.

Set for only their third World Cup finals appearance, the Oceania representatives caused a stir in 2010, remaining unbeaten in three group-stage fixtures, including a 1-1 draw against 2006 winners Italy.

Their recent friendly results have been poor, though. A 2-0 defeat against Finland in Auckland exposed their limitations against organised European opposition, but they responded impressively with a 4-1 win against Chile three days later.

Still, before that victory against an inexperienced Chilean selection, the All Whites had lost five of six friendly games between September and November last year. A 1-1 draw in Norway was the only bright spot for Darren Bazeley’s side during that barren run.

New Zealand should be organised and competitive in a relatively modest section, with Nottingham Forest forward Chris Wood giving them a proven focal point in attack. Fellow UK-based midfielder Elijah Just is another one to watch after a superb campaign with Motherwell saw the 26-year-old named in the PFA Scotland team of the season. 

The lowest-ranked nation at the finals, New Zealand are unlikely to be embarrassed, but they look the likeliest side to finish bottom in a potentially tight Group G.