The outcomes of the concluding matches of Group G at the 2026 World Cup were anything but uneventful.
In a thrilling 30-minute sequence, Belgium, Egypt, and Iran battled fiercely for group positioning in Vancouver and Seattle. The evening commenced with Egypt at the top of the standings, followed by Belgium taking the lead, then Egypt reclaiming it, and again Belgium. Ultimately, the Belgians, once seen as one of the tournament’s biggest disappointments after two draws, secured the group with a goal from their all-time leading scorer, Romelu Lukaku.
However, the excitement didn’t end there. Iran seemed poised to seize a 1-1 tie in stoppage time, a goal that could have pushed them into second place and ensured a spot in the knockout rounds. But then, VAR stepped in and ruled Iran offside, relegating them to third place.
The margin? Just a hand and a half a foot.
Belgium faced a potential early exit following ties with Egypt and Iran but soon found themselves at ease. They dominated possession in the first half, outshooting New Zealand 14-0. In the 28th minute, Leandro Trossard scored, putting Belgium in a favorable position for victory.
The main focus in the second half shifted to determining the group winner. Belgium solidified their top spot with another goal from Trossard and a stunning shot from Kevin De Bruyne.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Elijah Just gave Egypt a glimmer of hope for group supremacy with a goal in the 84th minute, eliciting cheers in Seattle. However, Lukaku dashed that hope just a minute later, followed by Alexis Saelemaekers sealed the deal with a final goal in stoppage time.
In Seattle, Egypt began on a high note with a fifth-minute goal from Mahmoud Saber.
Iran quickly responded with a penalty kick awarded after Mohamed Abdelmonem fouled Egypt’s captain Mehdi Taremi in the penalty area, but Taremi’s shot was brilliantly saved by Mostafa Shobeir, marking the first of several outstanding saves by the Egyptian goalkeeper. However, it didn’t take long for Iran to find their equalizer: In the 14th minute, Ramin Rezaeian capitalized on a rebound to score with a precise shot.
The match maintained its intensity throughout, especially in the second half. Unfortunately for Iran, heartbreak ensued as they also struck the crossbar twice. They faced a night of missed chances, and their fate is now uncertain.
Group G standings and results
|
W |
D |
L |
GD |
GF |
TCS |
Pts |
||
|
1 |
Belgium |
1 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
-7 |
5 |
|
2 |
Egypt |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
-5 |
5 |
|
3 |
Iran |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
-5 |
3 |
|
4 |
New Zealand |
0 |
1 |
2 |
-6 |
4 |
-4 |
1 |
Monday, June 15: Belgium 1, Egypt 1
Monday, June 15: Iran 2, New Zealand 2
Sunday, June 21: Belgium 0, Iran 0
Sunday, June 21: Egypt 3, New Zealand 1
Friday, June 26: Egypt 1, Iran 1
Friday, June 26: Belgium 5, New Zealand1
Upcoming matchups for Belgium and Egypt in the knockout round
Group G champion: Belgium
Matchup: Belgium vs. Group A/E/H/I/J third place team
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Date: Wednesday, July 1
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
Group G runner-up: Egypt
Matchup: Egypt vs. Australia
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Date: Friday, July 3
Location: AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas
Prospects for Iran in the knockout rounds
Despite the heartbreak, Iran is in a relatively good position. They currently sit sixth in the third-place standings, with Croatia and Algeria both capable of surpassing them with a win or tie, while DR Congo can only displace them with a victory.
All three scenarios must unfold to push Iran down to ninth place and eliminate them from the tournament. While it appears unlikely, Saturday will be a tense wait for them.
Can Group G yield a World Cup winner?
Group G has felt unpredictable since the opening matchday, with both Belgium-Egypt and Iran-New Zealand ending in draws. Egypt’s victory over New Zealand in their second game has allowed them to break away from the pack, yet the group stood exceedingly close as the matches progressed, presenting several possible outcomes.
This uncertainty among a quartet of relatively evenly matched teams raises questions about any team’s ability to advance far in the tournament. Belgium, in particular, had performed below expectations, netting only one goal prior to their five-goal performance against New Zealand on Friday. On the other hand, Egypt has made history by moving forward, a feat they had not achieved in any of their prior four World Cup appearances.
Belgium showed improvement on Friday, yet they still boast +4000 odds for the title, placing them in a tie with Mexico for the 11th-best odds in the field. At the very least, they appear to be building momentum as they approach the knockout stage.