Belgium vs Iran World Cup 2026 Predictions and Best Bets

Belgium vs Iran | World Cup 2026 Group G, Matchday 11 | Sunday 21 June 2026, 19:00 BST | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles (Inglewood), USA | TV: ITV / ITVX

Group G Standings (after Matchday 1):

• Iran: P1 W0 D1 L0 GD 0 Pts 1
• New Zealand: P1 W0 D1 L0 GD 0 Pts 1
• Belgium: P1 W0 D1 L0 GD 0 Pts 1
• Egypt: P1 W0 D1 L0 GD 0 Pts 1

What’s at Stake

Four teams level on one point apiece makes Group G one of the most open in the tournament. Belgium, who drew 1-1 with Egypt on Matchday 1, know a second consecutive draw could leave their progression deeply uncertain heading into the New Zealand finale, while Iran, who shared a 2-2 result with New Zealand, are equally aware that a win here would put them in a commanding position to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.

Verdict

Belgium carry the weight of expectation and the superior squad depth, and at 4/9 they are rightly installed as clear favourites to take all three points. The price is short, but a Belgium win with over 2.5 goals looks the stronger value angle given their attacking firepower and Iran’s propensity to concede at this tournament.

Belgium vs Iran Match Preview

Belgium arrive at SoFi Stadium under pressure to deliver the kind of dominant performance their squad on paper should be capable of. Rudi Garcia’s side looked unconvincing in the opener against Egypt, managing only a 1-1 draw, and a group table that offers no margin for error means this must-improve outing could define whether Belgium make it out of the group stage after their embarrassing early exit at Qatar 2022. The squad retains generational talent, with Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Jérémy Doku capable of stretching any defence, and the qualifying record of 29 goals in eight unbeaten games underlines the offensive potential that failed to fully ignite against Egypt.

Iran, meanwhile, enter this fixture with genuine momentum by their standards. A 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opener showed a willingness to attack and the composure to respond when behind. Amir Ghalenoei’s squad is built on domestic experience from clubs such as Persepolis and Tractor, supplemented by Mehdi Taremi’s nous up front at Olympiacos and Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s experience. The high-profile absence of Sardar Azmoun has shifted the attacking burden toward Taremi and Mohammad Mohebi, who scored in the New Zealand game, and that pair will need to be clinical if Iran are to pull off one of the group’s significant upsets.

The gap in individual quality between the two squads is significant, but Iran have shown at recent World Cups that they can be a well-organised and difficult team to break down. The key question is whether Belgium can convert their possession dominance into goals early enough to remove any late-game tension.

Team Form

Belgium – last five results:

• Egypt (H): Drew 1-1 – World Cup 2026 Group G
• Tunisia (H): Won 5-0 – Friendly
• Croatia (A): Won 2-0 – Friendly
• Mexico (N): Drew 1-1 – Friendly
• United States (A): Won 5-2 – Friendly

Belgium’s pre-tournament warm-up form was encouraging, particularly the 5-0 demolition of Tunisia and the 5-2 win over the United States, though it is worth noting those were non-competitive friendlies. The competitive picture is murkier: the goalless qualifying draw with North Macedonia and the Matchday 1 stalemate with Egypt both point to a side that can struggle to unlock organised, lower-block opposition. If Iran set up to frustrate, Belgium will need their most creative players at their best to find a way through.

Iran – last five results:

• New Zealand (H): Drew 2-2 – World Cup 2026 Group G
• Mali (N): Won 2-0 – Friendly
• Gambia (N): Won 3-1 – Friendly
• Costa Rica (N): Won 5-0 – Friendly
• Nigeria (N): Lost 1-2 – Friendly

Iran’s friendly sequence heading into the tournament was largely positive, capped by a 5-0 win over Costa Rica, and their opener against New Zealand demonstrated an ability to score from open play and set pieces. The 2-2 result also exposed defensive vulnerability, however, conceding twice in a group-stage game they would have expected to control for long periods. Belgium’s attacking options are considerably more dangerous than New Zealand’s, which makes Iran’s defensive structure the key variable heading into Sunday.

Belgium vs Iran Head to Head

Belgium and Iran have no recorded competitive meetings, making this a genuinely fresh rivalry at the World Cup 2026. With no historical data to draw on, the form book and squad quality are the only reliable guides, both of which point toward a Belgian win.

Team News

Belgium’s squad confirmed for the tournament retains its headline names. Thibaut Courtois returns between the sticks for Real Madrid, while the midfield remains centred on Kevin De Bruyne, who is making what is widely expected to be his last World Cup appearance. Romelu Lukaku leads the attack with 90 international goals from 126 caps, and remains one of the most dangerous strikers in the tournament despite turning 33 this summer. Youri Tielemans captains the side, and the wing positions are expected to feature Jérémy Doku’s direct running, which caused problems for Egypt.

What has not been publicly confirmed is the precise fitness status of every member of Belgium’s squad ahead of this fixture, but no significant injury concerns have emerged from the camp. The squad as announced is expected to be available in full. Veteran defender Thomas Meunier, now 34, and Axel Witsel at 37 offer depth and experience, though the starting defensive shape will be determined by Garcia’s tactical preferences going into a match Belgium are expected to control.

For Iran, the confirmed absence of Sardar Azmoun is the major headline, removing a striker who appears in the recent scorers list with four goals. Mehdi Taremi carries the primary attacking responsibility alongside Mohammad Mohebi, who scored against New Zealand, and the midfield unit led by Saeid Ezatolahi and Rouzbeh Cheshmi will be asked to provide protection against Belgium’s creative threat. No additional major injury news has emerged from the Iran camp since their opener.

Predicted Lineups

Belgium (4-3-3): Courtois; Castagne, De Winter, Debast, De Cuyper; Tielemans (c), Onana, De Bruyne; Doku, Lukaku, Trossard

Iran (4-1-4-1): Beiranvand; Rezaeian, Kanaanizadegan, Hajsafi (c), Mohammadi; Ezatolahi; Ghoddos, Torabi, Mohebi, Jahanbakhsh; Taremi

Predicted XIs – squads to be confirmed ahead of kick-off.

Key Tactical Matchup

The central battle is between Kevin De Bruyne’s ability to exploit space between the lines and Iran’s defensive midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi, who will be tasked with screening the back four. De Bruyne, with 37 international goals from 119 caps, has the vision and delivery to thread through Iran’s mid-block, particularly when Jérémy Doku drags full-backs wide. If Ezatolahi is drawn out of position or overwhelmed by the movement of Trossard and Doku cutting inside, the gaps behind him become the territory Belgium will target. Iran’s best hope is keeping De Bruyne isolated and funnelling play to the flanks where their more disciplined defenders can contain width without exposing the centre.

Best Bets

• Belgium to win @ 4/9: The squad gap is substantial and Belgium cannot afford a second consecutive draw with the New Zealand fixture still to come. A win is the minimum required outcome, and despite the short price, the probability of a Belgian victory given the respective qualifying records (Belgium 5W 3D 0L, scoring 29 goals, versus Iran’s 2W 1D 1L) makes this the most straightforward selection.
• Over 2.5 goals @ 10/11: Belgium scored five against both Tunisia and the United States in pre-tournament friendlies, and Iran’s opener saw four goals shared with New Zealand. Iran’s defensive organisation is not airtight, and Belgium have the attacking variety to find multiple routes to goal. At near-evens, over 2.5 goals carries genuine value.
• Romelu Lukaku to score anytime: Lukaku is Belgium’s all-time record scorer with 90 international goals in 126 caps, and leads the Belgium attack as the focal point of Garcia’s system. Iran conceded twice against New Zealand, and Lukaku’s physical presence in the penalty area is a consistent threat at set pieces and from crosses.
• Both teams to score – No @ 1/1: Iran scored twice against New Zealand but will find Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois a considerably more formidable obstacle. Belgium’s defensive record in qualifying (only 7 goals conceded in 8 games) and Courtois’s experience at Real Madrid suggest Iran will struggle to find the net, making the “no” side of both teams to score an alternative angle worth considering alongside the over-goals play.

Belgium vs Iran Betting Odds

Current best available prices for the Belgium vs Iran result market across leading operators:

Outcome	Best Price
Belgium win	4/9
Draw	4/1
Iran win	8/1

Totals market: over 2.5 goals priced at 10/11, under 2.5 goals at 1/1. Odds sourced from leading operators and subject to change ahead of kick-off.

How to Watch and How to Bet

How to Watch

Belgium vs Iran is live in the UK on ITV and ITVX, with free-to-air coverage available via the ITVX streaming platform for viewers who cannot watch on television. Kick-off is at 19:00 BST on Sunday 21 June 2026 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles (Inglewood), USA.

How to Bet

Odds are available at the best available price across leading UK-licensed operators. To place a bet on this fixture:

1. Create or log in to your account with a licensed UK operator.
2. Navigate to the World Cup 2026 section under football or soccer.
3. Select Group G and find the Belgium vs Iran fixture.
4. Choose your preferred market: match result, goals, or scorer.
5. Enter your stake in the bet slip.
6. Check the potential return before confirming.
7. For an accumulator, add this selection alongside other World Cup 2026 picks and combine in the bet slip.
8. Submit your bet and retain your booking reference.

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