Group G · 2026 FIFA World Cup
Group G Preview
De Bruyne's vision against Salah's fire. Belgium's last dance meets Egypt's first serious World Cup push in 36 years. Iran and New Zealand provide the global spread. Group G is built around one compelling narrative: this might be Belgium's final chance — and Salah might just take it from them.
Group Preview
🏆 Favourite: Belgium
Domenico Tedesco's appointment in 2023 brought the kind of tactical clarity and freshness that Belgium's aging golden generation desperately needed. The Belgian FA's decision to move on from Roberto Martínez after the 2022 World Cup was controversial — Martínez had guided them to third place in 2018 and the quarter-finals in 2022 — but Tedesco has justified the switch. The squad is built around Kevin De Bruyne, who at 34 remains one of the most complete midfielders in world football. His vision, passing range, and set-piece delivery are still exceptional. Romelu Lukaku — despite his inconsistencies at major tournaments — is still a powerful penalty-box presence who scores goals at this level. Jeremy Doku's direct running gives Belgium a different dimension, and Loïs Openda's pace gives Tedesco a striker option off the bench that most managers at this tournament would envy.
🌟 Dark Horse: Egypt
Mohamed Salah at a World Cup is appointment viewing — and 2026 might be Egypt's best chance to make it count since 1990. Marcel Kolller's appointment has brought structure and discipline to an Egyptian side that has underperformed at recent tournaments despite having arguably Africa's best player. Salah at 33 — still Liverpool's primary goal threat — is joined by Omar Marmoush, whose exceptional form at Eintracht Frankfurt in 2024/25 has made him one of the most in-form forwards in European football. If Egypt can get both firing simultaneously, they have the attacking quality to beat Belgium to top spot. The question is whether the defence — built around Mohamed Elneny's experience — can hold against De Bruyne and Lukaku.
⚔️ Key Battle: Egypt vs Belgium
The standout fixture of Group G. De Bruyne's ability to unlock tight defences against Salah's counter-attacking threat. If Belgium can dominate possession and prevent Egypt from hitting them on the break, De Bruyne's quality tells. If Egypt can absorb pressure and use Salah and Marmoush's pace in transition, they can expose Belgium's defensive vulnerabilities — particularly in the wide areas where Doku and Castagne can be caught out positionally.
❓ Key Question: Can Iran compete at this level?
Iran's World Cup history is defined by dramatic near-misses and premature exits. Their 2022 campaign — where they beat Wales but lost to the United States in a decisive group game — was typical of a team that competes but doesn't convert. Ghalenoei has built a side around the Taremi-Jahanbakhsh axis that is experienced at this level. Their defensive discipline is genuine, and at their best they are capable of frustrating Belgium. Whether they have the attacking creativity to break down Egypt's defence is the key tactical question.
Key Players
🇧🇪 Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne — Manchester City's midfield general, De Bruyne's vision and passing range are unmatched at this tournament. At 34, he is Belgium's most important player by some distance. His set-piece delivery is a weapon in itself.
Romelu Lukaku — Roma's powerful striker, Lukaku's penalty-box presence and finishing make him Belgium's primary goal threat. His record at major tournaments has been inconsistent — 2026 is his chance to finally deliver.
Jeremy Doku — Manchester City's electric winger, Doku's pace and direct running give Belgium a different dimension in wide areas. His ability to beat defenders one-on-one is a genuine weapon against packed defences.
🇪🇬 Egypt
Mohamed Salah — Liverpool's Egyptian king, Salah's pace, finishing, and movement make him one of the most dangerous forwards at the tournament. At 33, he remains Liverpool's primary goal scorer and Egypt's defining talent. His 2024/25 season at Liverpool — 25+ goals — shows he is far from finished.
Omar Marmoush — Eintracht Frankfurt's rising star, Marmoush's form in 2024/25 has been exceptional. His pace, skill, and eye for goal give Egypt a second attacking threat that opponents must account for — creating more space for Salah.
🇮🇷 Iran
Mehdi Taremi — Porto's veteran striker, Taremi's aerial ability and finishing give Iran a goal threat in tight games. His partnership with Jahanbakhsh is the key attacking relationship in Iranian football.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh — Nottingham Forest's experienced wide player, Jahanbakhsh's set-piece delivery and creativity give Iran their primary creative outlet. His 2022 World Cup performance — including a goal against Wales — showed his tournament quality.
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Chris Wood — Nottingham Forest's physical striker, Wood's Premier League experience and aerial ability give New Zealand a route to goal that doesn't depend on dominating possession. His 2022 World Cup goal against Italy showed he can perform on the big stage.
Predicted Fixtures (Typical WC scheduling — draw TBD)
Prediction
1st: Belgium 🇧🇪
Tedesco has given Belgium clarity and purpose. De Bruyne and Lukaku are still good enough to win this group. But it won't be easy — Egypt will push them all the way, and Belgium's defensive vulnerabilities could cost them in tight games.
2nd: Egypt 🇪🇬
Salah's fourth World Cup is his best yet. Marmoush gives Egypt a second threat that opponents can't focus all their attention on Salah. Koller has them organised. Egypt to advance for the first time since 1990.
3rd: Iran 🇮🇷
Ghalenoei's side are well-organised and have quality in Taremi and Jahanbakhsh, but the attacking depth isn't there. They will be competitive but miss out in a tight group.
4th: New Zealand 🇳🇿
Wood gives New Zealand a route to goal, and they will be competitive. But the quality gap is too large. A valuable World Cup experience that will drive Oceania football forward.