Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand. Belgium's golden generation gets another shot, Egypt lean on a generational forward, Iran are tournament-hardened and New Zealand are the Oceania torch-bearers.
Key stats of each team
Below are numbers from each team's recent matches, computed from the ScanGoal database. Each card ends with auto-insights — what stands out in the data.
Belgium last 12 months · 12 matches| Goals for/game | 3.2 |
| Goals against/game | 0.6 |
| xG for/game | 2.5 |
| xG against/game | 0.4 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 50% |
| Both teams score | 42% |
| Corners/game | 8.1 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.2 |
| Shots on target/game | 7.8 |
- a tight defence — just 0.6 conceded per game
- a strong attack — 3.2 goals per game
- works the flanks — 8.1 corners per game
- disciplined — only 1.2 yellows per game
- creates real chances: 2.5 xG per game
- out-finishing their xG
Egypt last 12 months · 23 matches| Goals for/game | 1.2 |
| Goals against/game | 0.7 |
| xG for/game | 1.2 |
| xG against/game | 1.2 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 30% |
| Both teams score | 35% |
| Corners/game | 4.1 |
| Yellow cards/game | 2.0 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.2 |
- tilts under: under 2.5 goals in 70% of games
- a tight defence — just 0.7 conceded per game
- often one-sided for goals: both teams score in just 35%
Iran last 12 months · 15 matches| Goals for/game | 1.8 |
| Goals against/game | 0.7 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 60% |
| Both teams score | 40% |
| Corners/game | 5.1 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.0 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.1 |
- a high-scoring side: over 2.5 goals in 60% of games
- a tight defence — just 0.7 conceded per game
- disciplined — only 1.0 yellows per game
New Zealand last 12 months · 11 matches| Goals for/game | 0.8 |
| Goals against/game | 1.8 |
| xG for/game | 0.9 |
| xG against/game | 1.3 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 45% |
| Both teams score | 45% |
| Corners/game | 3.9 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.2 |
| Shots on target/game | 3.7 |
- blunt in attack — only 0.8 goals per game
- few corners — 3.9 per game
- disciplined — only 1.2 yellows per game
Form going in
Belgium — recent form WDWWDD| 21.06.26 | Belgium0:0xG 1.8 : 0.6Iran | World Cup 2026 |
| 15.06.26 | Belgium1:1xG 1.3 : 1.1Egypt | World Cup 2026 |
| 06.06.26 | Belgium5:0xG 3.9 : 0.3Tunisia | Friendlies |
| 02.06.26 | Croatia0:2xG 0.5 : 0.7Belgium | Friendlies |
| 01.04.26 | Mexico1:1Belgium | Friendlies |
| 28.03.26 | USA2:5Belgium | International Match |
Egypt — recent form WDWLD| 15.06.26 | Belgium1:1xG 1.3 : 1.1Egypt | World Cup 2026 |
| 07.06.26 | Brazil2:1xG 1.8 : 0.4Egypt | Friendlies |
| 28.05.26 | Egypt1:0Russia | International Friendly |
| 31.03.26 | Spain0:0xG 2.3 : 0.1Egypt | International Match |
| 27.03.26 | Saudi Arabia0:4Egypt | Friendlies |
Who goes through
Belgium should top the group on quality. Iran, defensively excellent and experienced, are slight favourites for second over an Egypt side that can be one-dimensional. New Zealand will compete but lack the cutting edge.
Dark horse & possible upset
Egypt's upside is entirely about their talisman: with him firing, they top the group; without service to him, they can finish third. Iran beating Belgium to first place is the sharp-money upset.
Squads: call-ups & shocks
Belgium's Rudi Garcia kept faith with his stars: Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku made the squad despite injuries, with Thibaut Courtois in goal. The most-discussed omission was striker Loïs Openda, while Michy Batshuayi and the injury-hit Roméo Lavia also missed out. Source: beIN Sports.
Betting angles
Belgium games skew to overs; Iran fixtures are among the lowest-scoring on the board. Unders and clean-sheet markets are strong around Iran; team-total overs around Belgium.
Remember: totals, corners and cards are markets where our national-team data is most useful. Cross-check live odds and our Value Picks of the day; the handicap mechanics are covered in our Asian handicap guide.
Analysis only. Betting is 18+, please gamble responsibly.