The 2026 FIFA World Cup is less than two weeks away, and the 12 groups are set ahead of the newly expanded 48-team tournament.
The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marks the first time the historic tournament has expanded from 32 to 48 teams. It will also feature a new Round of 32 knockout stage, resulting in a colossal 104 matches across 39 days.
Group G includes Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. Let’s take a look at the Group G teams and see how each team is shaping up heading into the tournament.
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand
Belgium:
Belgium’s prime golden generation may be in the past, but a combination of returning veterans and exciting new players for this World Cup should give Belgium fans hope for success this summer. With many Belgian greats such as Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen, and Toby Alderweireld now gone, Belgian soccer is in a period of redefining itself. Their attack is as competent as usual, with Belgian stars such as Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and the electric Jeremy Doku leading the team.
Manager Rudi Garcia has only been in charge since January 2025, but he has shown glimpses of the potential Belgium possesses. Garcia has established a possession-based style of play orchestrated by De Bruyne, which has helped Belgium find success during its qualifying campaign, going 5-0-3.
Belgium’s X-factor this summer will be Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku, who is an absolute game-breaker and nightmare for opposing defenders on his best day. If Doku and the rest of the Belgian lineup can find their stride this summer, Belgium could be building toward a promising new generation.
Egypt:
Egypt is one of the more established African soccer nations and qualified for the 2026 World Cup by finishing first in their CAF qualifying group, winning eight games and drawing two of their 10 qualifying matches. After qualifying for the tournament in 2018, Egypt missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but are now back, led by their main man Mohamed Salah.
Salah, who has scored over 60 international goals for his country, will be joined by Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush to help lead the attack. Egypt will have a tough World Cup opener this summer against Belgium in Seattle.
Iran:
Iran is coming into this summer heading to their fourth consecutive World Cup. Out of the nation’s six total World Cup appearances, they are still chasing the goal of making it out of the group stage for the first time.
Outside of Belgium, Group G is completely inexperienced when it comes to advancing from the group stage, meaning Iran might have their best chance in years to accomplish that goal, especially considering the top eight third-place teams advance to the Round of 32. Veteran Olympiacos forward Mehdi Taremi will be counted on to score goals and pose a threat to opposing teams for Iran.
New Zealand:
New Zealand are not only the underdog of Group G but arguably the underdog of the entire tournament as the lowest-ranked team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. They do have World Cup experience, having last qualified for the tournament in 2010, and this year’s inclusion makes it three World Cups overall.
Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood will be a crucial player for the Kiwis, as he is the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player. Despite being the lowest-ranked team in the tournament and having never won a World Cup match, New Zealand, unlike most squads, have nothing to lose and will enter their opener against Iran hoping to make history.
Go to our
Soccer
page for more articles and updates like South Korea’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Roster!
You can
like
The Game Haus on Facebook and
follow
us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!