Belgium's ageing golden generation gets one final shot at glory, but Mohamed Salah and Egypt loom as dangerous second-place contenders in a group where Iran and New Zealand battle for scraps.

Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup features Belgium alongside Egypt, Iran (if they will join the competition), and New Zealand in what should be a straightforward Belgian procession…but with Mohamed Salah lurking, upsets remain possible.

With Belgium's opening match against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 15, here are my predictions, key tips, and tactical insights for a group where one team dominates on paper while three others fight desperately for the second qualification spot.

For a deeper look at betting on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, check out our complete guide.

Group G Predictions: Who Advances?

Predicted Final Standings:

1. Belgium (7-9 points) - Golden generation's final chance

2. Egypt (5-6 points) - Salah magic edges Iran for second

3. Iran (3-4 points) - Third place, agonisingly close

4. New Zealand (0-1 points) - Outclassed but proud

Belgium's wealth of talent throughout their squad makes them overwhelming favourites to top Group G comfortably.

The Red Devils' golden generation (which is now in their early-to-mid 30s) gets one final World Cup chance to deliver on their enormous potential.

The real battle centres on who joins them in the Round of 32. Egypt's outgoing Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah gives them individual quality that can decide tight matches, providing the edge over Iran's organised collective.

New Zealand returns to the World Cup after 16 years but faces a mountain too steep against three superior opponents.

Group G Match-by-Match Tips and Predictions

Belgium vs Egypt (Matchday 1)

Prediction: Belgium 2-1 Egypt

Top Tips:

• Closer than expected - Egypt's quality makes life difficult
• Both teams to score likely - Salah threatens any defence
• Belgium wins but unconvincingly - Questions remain about their cohesion

Belgium's attacking talent (think Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku if fit, and Jérémy Doku) should eventually overwhelm Egypt in Seattle.

But Salah's pace on the counter-attack keeps Egypt dangerous throughout, likely scoring and making Belgium work incredibly hard for all three points.

The Belgium v Egypt odds favor the European side, and I agree with them - although I think this won’t be an easy game to win.

An unconvincing Belgian victory that raises doubts about whether this ageing golden generation can finally deliver.

If you're looking at Belgium's leading World Cup goalscorer, Lukaku remains the obvious choice when fit.

Iran vs New Zealand (Matchday 1)

Prediction: Iran 2-0 New Zealand

Top Tips:

• Iran controls from start - Superior quality throughout the squad
• New Zealand struggles to create - All Whites overwhelmed
• Under 3.5 goals solid value - Iran professional rather than spectacular

New Zealand returns to the World Cup after 16 years away but immediately faces reality against Asian opposition that's competed at the last six World Cups.

Iran will defend compactly and exploit New Zealand's defensive vulnerabilities on counter-attacks.

To me, the Iran v New Zealand game will bring us a professional Iranian performance that guarantees three points without needing spectacular football.

Belgium vs Iran (Matchday 2)

Prediction: Belgium 1-1 Iran

• Frustrating draw for Belgium - Iran's defensive organisation stifles Red Devils
• Low-scoring tactical battle - Neither team creates freely
• Iran's result of the tournament - Point against European powerhouse

Iran arrives with nothing to lose and everything to gain, deploying their trademark deep defensive block.

Belgium will dominate possession but struggle to break down 11 men behind the ball, and Iran's counter-attacking threat (despite star striker Sardar Azmoun's controversial exclusion from the squad for alleged disloyalty to the Iranian government) keeps Belgium nervous defensively.

A frustrating draw that leaves Belgium's progression uncertain and gives Iran genuine hope of reaching the knockout stages for the first time ever.

New Zealand vs Egypt (Matchday 2)

Prediction: Egypt 3-0 New Zealand

Top Tips:

• Egypt cruises - Salah and teammates too strong
• New Zealand winless - All Whites can't match African opposition
• Over 2.5 goals solid bet - Egypt needs goals for goal difference

New Zealand, reeling from their opening defeat to Iran, faces another long afternoon.

Salah will be desperate to showcase his brilliance after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in the 2018 Champions League final, which limited his impact at the 2018 World Cup and disappointment in 2022.

Egypt's technical superiority and attacking firepower overwhelms the Kiwis completely, with the match effectively decided by halftime.

Egypt vs Iran (Matchday 3)

Prediction: Egypt 2-1 Iran

Top Tips:

• Crucial group decider - Winner likely advances with Belgium
• Both teams to score - Neither side defensively watertight
• Salah delivers in pressure moment - Liverpool star rises to occasion

These teams last met in 2000, with Egypt winning on penalties. This encounter at Lumen Field will be equally tense, with both nations desperately needing victory to advance.

Iran's defensive solidity keeps them in the match, but Salah's individual brilliance proves decisive in crucial moments.

A late Egyptian goal secures their progression while heartbreakingly ending Iran's World Cup dreams once again.

New Zealand vs Belgium (Matchday 3)

Prediction: Belgium 3-0 New Zealand

Top Tips:

• Belgium back on track - Professional performance seals group win
• New Zealand eliminated - Historic participation ends winless
• De Bruyne shines - Manchester City star controls proceedings

By the final matchday in Vancouver, both teams' fates will likely be sealed: Belgium progressing and New Zealand eliminated - but professional pride demands effort.

Belgium will want to end the group stage with momentum heading into the knockout rounds.

De Bruyne's creativity and Lukaku's finishing ability should deliver a comfortable victory that confirms top spot.

New Zealand battles bravely but the gulf in quality proves insurmountable, with their World Cup return ending without points but with valuable experience gained.

Key Players Who Will Decide Group G

Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium): The 35-year-old Manchester City midfielder leads Belgium's golden generation in what will almost certainly be their final World Cup together.

His passing range, vision, and set-piece delivery makes him one of the world's elite playmakers.

De Bruyne's ability to unlock defences with a single through ball gives Belgium their primary creative weapon.

However, recent comments suggest he's given brutally honest assessments of Belgium's chances, perhaps acknowledging this ageing squad's limitations.

Mohamed Salah (Egypt): The 33-year-old Liverpool winger carries Egypt's hopes on his shoulders after leading them to World Cup qualification with crucial goals against Djibouti.

His pace, dribbling, and clinical finishing make him virtually unplayable when confident. Salah's disappointing 2022 World Cup fuels his determination to finally shine on football's biggest stage.

Egypt's progression depends almost entirely on whether Salah produces his Liverpool form.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Iran): The 31-year-old FCV Dender EH winger becomes even more crucial following star striker Sardar Azmoun's controversial exclusion from the squad for alleged disloyalty to the Iranian government.

Jahanbakhsh's experience in European football and big-match temperament gives Iran their primary attacking threat.

His delivery from set-pieces and ability to create chances from nothing could prove decisive in tight matches.

Iran's hopes of reaching their first-ever World Cup knockout stage rest heavily on his shoulders.

Chris Wood (New Zealand): The 34-year-old Nottingham Forest striker captains the All Whites in their World Cup return after 16 years.

His Premier League experience and proven goal-scoring record gives New Zealand their only genuine attacking threat against vastly superior opposition.

Wood will work tirelessly and try to exploit tired legs late in matches, though realistically New Zealand needs multiple miracles to claim even a single point from three extremely difficult fixtures.

For the latest World Cup 2026 winner odds, Belgium remain among the contenders despite their ageing core.