This group will be fighting off claims that it is the weakest in the tournament.
While competitively balanced, three of its four teams are not expected to make a particularly deep run in the knockout rounds. The one that could, Belgium, has lost some of its luster after being one of the favorites in the previous two World Cups thanks to its now aging golden generation.
Despite this, the value of watching this group is clear. Global stars such as Mohammed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, Chris Wood and others are making what should be their final appearance in a World Cup. Given what they have provided to the game (both at the club and international levels), taking the opportunity to appreciate what they have done and could do in this tournament is a must.
The Teams
Embed from Getty ImagesBelgium
Best Case Scenario
Like many other cases before it, though sadly for the Belgians, the golden generation that characterized this national team from the 2014 through 2022 World Cups was unable to actually win anything of note. Remnants of it remain (Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Axel Witsel) but are aged and are no longer expected to be key components to an extended stay at a global tournament.
Talent grew in naturally behind them, however, and some grace bestowed by the football gods has left Belgium in a group that it should ultimately win outright. The skill that once was probably doesn’t have the legs to carry this team to a Cup final, but multiple knockout rounds would be a nice story for a team that at this point can’t be considered anything more than an outside contender.
Realistic Expectation
After the flameout in a similarly “manageable” group in 2022, technically anything is possible from Belgium and wouldn’t be considered a major shock. But given the experience in Qatar was felt by a number of the most experienced players on this roster, gut feeling would lean towards a complete collapse not happening again.
Belgium will get out of this group, but will have a hard time making a deep run in the knockout rounds as there are just too many questions about its depth.
Embed from Getty ImagesEgypt
Best Case Scenario
There is a strong likelihood that Mo Salah said goodbye to the top level of European club football at the end of the 2025-2026 campaign, meaning that this World Cup is one of the last times many fans will get a chance to see him regularly (unless they are avid viewers of the Saudi Pro League).
The Egyptian King has been synonymous with the relatively successful period that the country is experiencing regarding soccer, qualifying for two of the last three World Cups after having been to just one prior (1990). The issue is, he’s now 33-years-old and the supporting cast around him only offers so much in terms of attacking prowess (primarily by way of forward Omar Marmoush). The defense is strong, though, and provides hope for getting out of the group.
Realistic Expectation
Most eyes will be on Salah, but the strength of Egypt is in the back, which allowed just two goals during CAF qualifiers. The makeup of the group lends itself to being decided by just a few goals, which puts Egypt in about the same position of the other three nations not named Belgium of moving on.
Embed from Getty ImagesIran
Best Case Scenario
For multiple reasons and not all on-the-field related, the Iran squad has been dealt a very tough hand this World Cup. Logistically speaking, a last minute switch for the team base camp from Tucson, AZ to Tijuana, Mexico leaves Iran as the only team that doesn’t play a single group stage match in the country which they have chosen as their base. Political tensions between Iran and the United States naturally bring up questions about what kind of head space the players will be in.
On-the-pitch, the Iranians are fielding an “experienced” squad, to put it nicely. Sixteen of the 26-man roster are at least 30-years-old, making Iran one of the oldest squads in the tournament. Playing a style that will force opponents to break them down defensively promotes the possibility that age won’t be an issue, and the perceived offensive challenges from other teams in the group gives Iran a chance of making it through the group stage for the first time in seven tries.
Realistic Expectation
It may not be pretty, but Iran will be in the thick of knockout round qualification in Group G. Like the other teams that will want to defend their own goal at almost all costs, Iran is blessed with a striker that has individual quality around the box. Mehdi Taremi isn’t a household name like Mo Salah or even Chris Wood, but can get the job done all the same.
This feels like a situation somewhat like when Ukraine made the EUROs in 2024, though the generalized support for Iran won’t reflect that on matchdays. Still, this is far from a situation where a squad will just be happy to be playing.
Embed from Getty ImagesNew Zealand
Best Case Scenario
Perhaps no country was more thrilled by FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams than the Kiwis, who have been kings of their confederation for some time but have routinely been kept out of the tournament thanks to intercontinental playoff losses. New Zealand was unsurprisingly dominant in Oceania qualification, having played no teams inside the top 100 of FIFA rankings.
If Chris Wood is fully healthy and the lore of Tim Payne becomes more than just an internet sensation leading up to this World Cup, New Zealand could be one of the darlings of the tournament. Fun fact: the Kiwis were the only unbeaten team in the 2010 World Cup, earning three draws but still missing the knockout rounds. A similar set of results in 2026 could very well be enough to move on.
Realistic Expectation
More than any other team in the tournament, New Zealand potentially stands to experience a “welcome to the big leagues” moment in terms of the competition it will face. Oceania as a confederation has long been New Zealand and then everyone else, so the nation’s recent results leading up to this point are hardly useful.
It may seem harsh to consider the Kiwis a minnow in a group featuring the likes of Egypt and Iran, but realistically that is the situation. New Zealand moving on to the knockout round would be a surprise.
Matches to Watch
Embed from Getty ImagesBelgium vs. Egypt (June 15 – 3 PM ET)
Age is just a number, right? Two squads that rely on experience (perhaps more bluntly, aging star power) will need to get off on the right foot in a match that could be looked back on as the one that decided the winner of the group. It is likely the last time to see Kevin De Bruyne and Mo Salah face off against one another.
Egypt vs. Iran (June 26 – 11 PM ET)
Shots on goal may be rare in this one, but the stakes will likely be as high as possible on matchday three. This is the type of match where a moment of brilliance can become a tournament highlight.
Predictions (Bold Advance to Knockout Stage)
Embed from Getty Images1. Belgium
2. Iran
3. Egypt
4. New Zealand
