Key points to know
- Belgium is the group favourite with odds of 1.36 for first place.
- Egypt, Iran and New Zealand have never reached the play-off stage in their history.
- Belgium and Egypt have odds of 2.62 for the first two places.
- All Group G matches will be played in Vancouver, Seattle and Inglewood.
- The main players to watch are K. De Bruyne, M. Salah, M. Taremi, C. Wood.
- The opening match between Belgium and Egypt could decide the top spot immediately.
Group G teams and schedule
Group G is one of the weakest groups, with only Belgium really standing out. However, even the Belgians are not expected to reach the quarter-finals. Egypt should finish second and qualify for the play-offs for the first time in the country's history, but not much is expected of the team even with Mohamed Salah in the line-up.
Iran and New Zealand will play each other for third place, but the big question is whether the points scored will be enough to reach the Round of 32. There is a good chance that the third team will score a maximum of three points.
The bookmakers' odds are either to win the group or to finish in the TOP 2:
| Team | Win the group | TOP 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 1,36 | 1,06 |
| Egypt | 5,55 | 1,60 |
| Iran | 7,10 | 2,40 |
| New Zealand | 21,00 | 8,00 |
All group matches will take place in three cities in the USA and Canada – Seattle, Inglewood and Vancouver. See below for the full schedule (times in Lithuanian time, GMT+3 in summer).
| Matches | Date and time (LT) |
|---|---|
| Belgium – Egypt | 15 June, 22:00 |
| Iran – New Zealand | 16 June, 04:00 |
| Belgium – Iran | June 21, 22:00 |
| New Zealand – Egypt | 22 June at 04:00 |
| Egypt – Iran | 27 June, 06:00 |
| New Zealand – Belgium | 27 June, 06:00 |
Favourites and outsiders in Group G
Belgium is the clear favourite in Group G, and missing out on the next round would be one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. It's not a difficult group and it will be interesting to see how the other teams play against each other, but it is Belgium and Egypt who stand out the most.
Belgium
Belgium is the clear favourite. Although the team can no longer boast the quality it showed in 2018, when it reached the semi-finals of the World Cup and finished third, there is still talent in the squad.
With the players they have, the Belgians should have no serious difficulties in the group and the tournament will only really start for them in the play-offs. The bookmakers predict that Belgium will be eliminated in the round of 16. Detailed official tournament information can be found on FIFA's official 2026 tournament page.
Egypt
Egypt is one of the best teams in Africa and Mohamed Salah will be part of the tournament. The team's entire game revolves around this footballer, who will leave Liverpool after this season.
Egypt is a dangerous team at their level, but it is too difficult to play against stronger opponents. Salah's individual talent can save the team, but we should not expect much. The group is favourable for the Egyptians, who can realistically fight for second place and qualify for the play-offs for the first time in their history.
Iran
The Iranian team is the standout among Asian teams in terms of physical form, which allowed them to comfortably qualify for their fourth consecutive World Cup. However, the team has achieved little in the tournament itself.
This year the group is not strong, so the Iranians may try to challenge Egypt, but second place would be a big surprise. The aim is to beat New Zealand and try to get some extra points to think about the Round of 32 from third place.
New Zealand
New Zealand qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2010. This will be only the country's third participation in history. The national team is physically fit and looks good against stronger opponents, sitting deep in defence and not letting the other teams play their best football.
The same style can be expected in this tournament – low scoring, organised defence and attempts to break through on the counter-attack. The team has little talent, but will play without extra pressure.
Players to watch in Group G
Belgium obviously has the most talent in Group G. Veterans Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku remain key players, while Thibaut Courtois, Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard are also worth a mention.
Mohamed Salah is one of the most prominent players in both the Egyptian squad and in Group G as a whole. Another one worthy of note in the Egyptian roster is Omar Marmoush.
The Iranian squad is not as talented as either Egypt or Belgium, but Mehdi Taremi, Saman Ghoddos and Alireza Jahanbakhsh can be singled out.
The New Zealand team is led by Chris Wood, a 34-year-old striker with a long Premier League record who will play for Nottingham Forest from 2023. Marko Stamenic and Tyler Bindon are also worth mentioning.
Highlights of Group G
Group G 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 fails to win, the group will immediately become much more interesting.
There is a good chance that Belgium will not play their best football from the first match. The group is favourable to consolidate the form as soon as the tournament starts and to play your best in the play-offs.
Egypt got favourable opponents to finish at least second and qualify directly for the play-offs. The bookmakers are offering odds of 1.60 for Egypt's TOP 2, but a much stronger value bet is on Belgium and Egypt to finish in the top two, with a solid 2.62 odds on this selection.
Not much is expected from Iran and New Zealand. The teams will try to challenge their opponents, but even if they manage to play one solid game, it will not be enough to get close to the play-offs.
Betting Outlook
Belgium's odds of winning the group are 1.36 – an outright victory offers little value. In the odd match, especially against New Zealand, the alternative is an over under bet or Belgium's individual goal total. Iran and New Zealand play extremely defensive football, so the “less” markets have good value here.
For a full list of participants with all groups, see the FIFA World Cup 2026 participant article. When choosing a platform for the tournament, it is worth comparing the best betting companies.
Responsible betting on the tournament
The World Cup lasts almost six weeks and matches are played almost every day. This rhythm increases the risk of chasing losses or betting just for fun. Practical advice is provided by the responsible gambling guide.
Group G FAQ
Which teams are in Group G
Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand are in Group G.
Who are the main favourites to win Group G
Belgium. The bookmakers offer odds of 1.36 for her to win the group.
Which teams are predicted to qualify for the next round from Group G
Belgium and Egypt. Belgium is the clear favourite in the group, while Egypt is described as the second strongest team in Group G. There is a good chance that these two teams will reach the round of 32.
Which is the most important match of Group G
The first group match is between Belgium and Egypt. It will take place on 15 June at 22:00 Lithuanian time and should decide the first place. A Belgian victory over Egypt would almost secure the group title.
Which team could be the biggest surprise in Group G
Egypt. Belgium is the clear favourite in the group, and although the Egyptians are predicted to finish in second place, they could surprise by finishing in first position. Given that the first match will be against Belgium, Egypt still has a chance if the Belgians do not play their best.
When did Egypt and New Zealand last play in the World Cup
Egypt last participated in 2018 – an 8-year break. New Zealand is playing for the first time since 2010 – 16 years without a World Cup. This will be only New Zealand's third participation in history.
Which cities will host Group G matches
All matches will take place in three cities: Seattle and Inglewood (USA) and Vancouver (Canada).
Which bets have the best value in Group G
Bookmakers are offering odds of 2.62 for Belgium and Egypt to finish top two in the group. Considering the weak level of the group, this is considered one of the best value bets in Group G.
