Group G — Group Standings
Match schedule, current standings and our prediction for Group G at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Belgium
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 5 |
| 2 |
Egypt
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5 |
| 3 |
Iran
|
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 |
New Zealand
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | -6 | 1 |
Match Schedule
Belgium
1 - 1
Egypt
Iran
2 - 2
New Zealand
Belgium
0 - 0
Iran
New Zealand
1 - 3
Egypt
New Zealand
1 - 5
Belgium
Egypt
1 - 1
Iran
Our Prediction
Pre-Tournament Forecast
Race for 1st place
Belgium are the firmest pick to top Group G, even mid-rebuild under Rudi Garcia. Kevin De Bruyne's leadership, Romelu Lukaku's goals and the rising Jérémy Doku axis still make the Red Devils the most talented side in the group by a clear margin. Belgium should win all three games; their only real test is matchday 2 against Iran, where conceding could trigger a panic — but anything other than a Belgian first-place finish would be a major surprise.
Race for 2nd place
Iran are the most likely runners-up. Amir Ghalenoei's team plays a compact, counter-attacking 4-1-4-1 that is tournament-tested, and Mehdi Taremi and Mehdi Ghayedi give them a credible front line. Iran should beat New Zealand, draw or narrowly lose to Belgium, and edge Egypt through superior tournament discipline — a 4-point return very likely secures second.
Third-place playoff slot
Egypt are the favourites for the third-place playoff slot. Mohamed Salah remains a tournament-defining individual talent, and despite Egypt's missed qualification for 2022, the squad has been rebuilt around him with Trezeguet, Mostafa Mohamed and Omar Marmoush. The path: lose narrowly to Belgium, draw or lose to Iran, and beat New Zealand convincingly — three or four points should be enough for one of the eight best-thirds spots.
Bottom of the group
New Zealand are the heavy favourites to finish bottom — but they have a real chance to register the All Whites' first-ever World Cup point against Egypt or Iran on a generous day. Darren Bazeley's squad, built around Premier League veteran Chris Wood and Wellington Phoenix-based players, will be physically competitive but technically outclassed in every fixture.
Updated After Matchday 1
Group G after Matchday 1 is chaos: all four teams picked up a point each, with both favourites (Belgium and Iran) dropping crucial points in matches they should have won on paper. Belgium ran into Egyptian discipline, Iran failed to hold a winning lead against New Zealand — alarming signals for sides chasing first place. Egypt and New Zealand played bravely and now have a real chance to extend their tournament longer than many predicted. The decider is Belgium–Iran on 21 June: the winner moves clearly ahead, a defeat for either could cost them a knockout spot. New Zealand must beat Egypt the same day — otherwise their hopes depend entirely on others' results.
Updated After Matchday 2
Group G remains the tournament's tightest, and Egypt have quietly taken charge: a 3–1 win over New Zealand lifted them to four points and top spot, while favourites Belgium and Iran cancelled each other out in a goalless draw that left both stuck on two. Nothing is decided and nobody is eliminated heading into the final round. Egypt–Iran on 26 June is the headline: a draw might be enough for Egypt, while Iran likely need to win. Belgium, strangely toothless with just one goal in two games, must beat New Zealand the same day and hope — a sobering position for a side many tipped to win the group. New Zealand, on one point, can still sneak through with a win and favourable results. The likeliest finish: Egypt advance, with second place and a best-third spot still up for grabs among Iran, Belgium and New Zealand.