The 2026 FIFA World Cup action resumes with a Group G fixture involving underdogs New Zealand and European heavyweights Belgium at BC Place Vancouver on Friday. The other teams in the group include Iran and leaders, Egypt.
New Zealand have managed to earn a point from their two games thus far, and they are certainly still in the running to progress, as all teams in the group are within three points of each other.
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The All Whites held Iran to a 2-2 draw at Los Angeles Stadium in their opening match on Monday, 15 June, and many were surprised to see them secure a point against the Iranians.
New Zealand winger Elijah Just scored a brace to earn his side a share of the spoils, with Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi netting for Iran.
The second match did not go as well for the All Whites, with Egypt dominating the match and emerging as 3-1 winners at BC Place Vancouver on Sunday, 21 June.
New Zealand took the initiative with an early goal from Finn Surman, but the Pharaohs came back in the second half with renewed determination, and three goals followed from Mostafa Ziko, Mohamed Salah, and Trezeguet to secure the victory.
New Zealand therefore have one point and sit bottom of Group G, but with Belgium and Iran on two points, and Egypt top of the group on four points, there is everything still to play for on the final matchday of the group stage.
Meanwhile, Belgium have had a tournament to forget, but despite their struggles, they still have every chance of progressing thanks to how the group is set up at the moment.
Two draws and only one goal scored (and that one being an own goal) is certainly not what coach Rudi Garcia would have expected after two matchdays, but that is what has happened to the Red Devils, a team brimming with attacking talent, including players like Romelu Lukaku and Kevin de Bruyne.
Belgium’s first game ended in a 1-1 stalemate against Egypt at Seattle Stadium on Monday, 15 June.
The Pharaohs took the lead in the 20th-minute through Emam Ashour, but a Mohamed Hany own goal on 66 minutes saw them share the spoils.
The next game against Iran at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday, 20 June, continued the frustration for the Red Devils, who dominated the game but could not find a way to break the deadlock.
To make matters worse for Belgium, defender Nathan Ngoy was red-carded in the 67th minute and will miss the match against New Zealand.
New Zealand vs Belgium head-to-head stats and key numbers
- New Zealand and Belgium have never played against each other, and they will both be determined to begin their head-to-head record on a positive note.
- Belgium have qualified for the World Cup 15 times, while this is New Zealand’s third World Cup tournament participation.
- Romelu Lukaku is Belgium’s leading goalscorer, having scored 90 goals for his national team in 128 appearances.
New Zealand vs Belgium prediction
Belgium have a confidence problem up front, and they will need to fix that to defeat New Zealand and make their way into the round of 32. We expect the Red Devils to dominate possession and focus on getting the ball to their talisman, Lukaku, who is a serious aerial threat. Jeremy Doku is back in the Belgium squad following the birth of his child, and his deadly pace on the wing could be decisive in this final group match.
New Zealand need to get a result in this game if they are to progress from the group. All Whites coach Darren Bazeley is expected to set up his team with a disciplined, compact defensive shape, looking to exploit spaces on the transition and convert that into goal-scoring opportunities as they did against Iran.
After two draws in the group thus far, we expect Belgium to finally find their scoring boots and secure a win against New Zealand.
Prediction: New Zealand 1-2 Belgium
New Zealand vs Belgium betting tips
Tip 1: Belgium to win
Tip 2: Both teams to score
Tip 3: Over 2.5 goals
Edited by Peter Pedroncelli
