FIFA World Cup G Group 2026 Preview

2026 FIFA World Cup G Group matches will be played from June 15 to 26. In Group G, the main favorite is Belgium, while Egypt, Iran and New Zealand will also compete here.

Belgium and Iran played at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Egypt last played at the World Cup in 2018, and New Zealand in 2010. Group G is one of the weakest groups, and although Belgium is here, the overall level of the group is low. Here, we provide a team overview, the full group schedule and betting odds.

FIFA World Cup Group G one of the weakest groups, as only Belgium can really be highlighted. However, even Belgium is not expected to reach the quarter-finals. Egypt should take second place and reach the knockout stage for the first time, but not much is expected from the team here, even with Mohamed Salah in the squad.

Iran and New Zealand should fight each other for third place, but the big question is whether the points collected will be enough to also reach the Round of 32. There is a high probability that the team finishing third will have three points at most.

Well-known bookmaker odds for winning the group or finishing TOP 2:

All group matches will take place in three cities in the United States and Canada: Seattle, Inglewood and Vancouver. Full World Cup Group G schedule:

Group G has a clear favorite in Belgium, whose failure to reach the next stage would be one of the biggest fiascos of the tournament. The group is not difficult, and it will be interesting to see how the other teams play against each other, but Belgium and Egypt stand out the most.

Belgium is the clear group favorite, and although the national team can no longer boast the same quality it showed in 2018, when it reached the FIFA World Cup semi-finals and finished third, there is still talent in the squad.

With the players available, Belgium should not face any serious difficulties in the group, and the tournament should only really begin for them once the knockout stage has been reached. World Cup bookmakers predict that Belgium will be knocked out in the Round of 16.

Egypt is one of the best African national teams, and it will also have Mohamed Salah at the tournament. The entire game revolves around the footballer who will leave FC Liverpool after this season. At its own level, Egypt is a dangerous team, but playing against stronger opponents is too difficult.

Mohamed Salah’s individual talent can save the team, but not much should be expected. The group is favorable for Egypt, and it can realistically fight for second place and reach the knockout stage for the first time in the country’s history.

The Iran national team stands out among Asian teams for its physicality, which allowed it to comfortably get through qualification and reach a fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup. However, at the tournament itself, the national team has not managed to do much. This year, the group is not strong, and it can try to challenge Egypt, but second place in the group would be a big surprise.

The national team’s goal should be to beat New Zealand and try to collect additional points that would allow it to think about the knockout stage from third place in the group.

New Zealand has reached the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010, and this will be only its third appearance overall. The national team stands out for its physicality and looks solid against stronger opponents, as by sitting deep in defense it prevents other teams from showing their best football.

This style can also be expected at this tournament. Low scoring, organized defense and attempts to break on counter-attacks. The national team has little talent, but it will play without any extra pressure.

It is clear that Belgium has the most talent in Group G. Veterans Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku remain the key players, while Thibaut Courtois, Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard should also be highlighted.

Both in the Egypt national team and across Group G, Mohamed Salah is one of the players who stands out the most. Another player worth attention is Omar Marmoush.

The Iran national team does not match either Egypt or Belgium in terms of talent, while Mehdi Taremi, Saman Ghoddos and Alireza Jahanbakhsh can be highlighted.

Chris Wood stands out for New Zealand, with the 34-year-old forward bringing long-term Premier League experience and playing for Nottingham Forest since 2023. Marko Stamenic and Tyler Bindon can also be highlighted in the squad.

FIFA World Cup G Group is one of the weakest groups, but intriguing matches can still be expected. The opening match will be between Belgium and Egypt, and if Belgium does not manage to win, the group will immediately become much more interesting.

There is a high probability that Belgium’s best football will not be seen from the first match. The group is favorable for building form after the start of the World Cup and showing the best football in the knockout stage.

Egypt has received favorable opponents to take at least second place and move directly into the knockout stage. Odds of 1.60 are given for Egypt to finish TOP 2, but the bet on Belgium and Egypt taking the first two places has much stronger value. Solid odds of 2.62 are given for this pick.

Not much should be expected from Iran and New Zealand. The teams will try to challenge their opponents, but even if they manage to play one solid match, it will be too little to get close to the knockout stage.