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FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group G Analysis and Best Bets

Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand

Location: Seattle, Los Angeles, Vancouver

World Cup Group G brings together four nations with contrasting styles and ambitions. Belgium arrive as favourites, eager to make amends for their disappointing 2022 campaign . Now rebuilt under Rudi Garcia around a younger, more dynamic core led by Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku. Iran enter as Asia’s most consistent qualifiers. They combine defensive organisation with sharp counter‑attacking play and a strong sense of cohesion. Egypt, guided by Rui Vitória, lean heavily on Mohamed Salah’s brilliance and a disciplined back line, hoping to translate their continental success onto the world stage. New Zealand complete the group as spirited outsiders. The lowest ranked nation in the tournament rely on structure, set‑piece strength, and collective effort to stay competitive.

With Belgium’s technical superiority, Iran’s resilience, Egypt’s star power, and New Zealand’s determination, Group G promises balance, intensity, and at least one surprise before the knockout rounds take shape. You can find all of the results and standings here.

Belgium: 33/1, To Win Group -270, Q – 3300 No 14/1

Belgium’s final 26‑man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was officially confirmed in May 2026 by head coach Rudi Garcia. It includes several established stars, with Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Thomas Meunier,  Axel Witsel, and Romelu Lukaku among them.

Belgium endured a disastrous World Cup in Qatar 2022. They exited at the group stage for the first time since 1998. Their campaign in Group F (with Morocco, Croatia, and Canada) was defined by poor performances, internal tension, and missed chances, especially in the decisive final match. They entered that tournament as one of the favourites under Roberto Martínez, yet the campaign quickly unravelled and as a result brought his tenure as head coach to an end.

This time around, Garcia still has Courtois, De Bruyne, Witsel, and Lukaku from the “Golden Generation”. Nowadays the squad is built around Aston Villa’s midfield pairing of Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana. Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku has also been in excellent form and is one to watch. Belgium had a strong yet occasionally shaky qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup, ultimately finishing top of UEFA Group J and securing automatic qualification. One memorable match against Wales saw them race into a 3–0 lead, only for Wales to fight back to 3–3 before De Bruyne struck late to seal a 4–3 victory.

Belgium extended their remarkable run of being unbeaten in World Cup qualifying since 2009. Their record of five wins and three draws looks solid on paper, and with Garcia’s more pragmatic approach. The Belgians appear better balanced than in previous tournaments. However, as a betting proposition, they make limited appeal after their disastrous 2022 campaign, so it may be wise to observe how they settle into the tournament before committing any stakes

Egypt 300/1, To Win Group 4/1, Q -278 No 2/1

Egypt head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Africa’s most successful national team in continental football.  Their record on the global stage remains poor however. Their previous appearances came in 1934, 1990, and 2018, and they have never progressed beyond the group stage. The 2026 tournament marks their fourth appearance and is widely viewed as their best opportunity to change that narrative.

Egypt produced one of the strongest CAF qualifying campaigns of any nation. They went unbeaten in all  10 matches with 8 wins and 2 draws scoring 20 goals. Liverpool star Mohamed Salah contributed  9 of those.  Egypt finished top of Group A, five points clear, and achieved their first undefeated qualifying cycle in 91 years, despite a mid‑campaign coaching change from Rui Vitória to Hossam Hassan.

Head coach Hassan, the country’s all‑time leading scorer, becomes the first Egyptian to reach the World Cup as both player and manager. His leadership is seen as a major motivational factor, and it will be fascinating to see whether Egypt can finally break their duck and secure a first World Cup victory. The team have built a compact, disciplined defensive unit. They conceded just two goals in ten matches. In goal, they rely on the excellent shot‑stopping of Mohamed El Shenawy, while in defence they benefit from the aerial dominance and organisation of Ahmed Hegazi.

Mohamed Salah remains their captain, leader, and star man at 33. After a scintillating 2024/25 season for Liverpool with 47 goal involvements, Salah endured a quieter 2025/26 campaign. He had just 14 goal involvements in 27 appearances. The key question is whether he can rediscover those dizzy heights or whether age is beginning to catch up with him. Nevertheless, Omar Marmoush of Manchester City is emerging as Egypt’s second star. Marmoush offers pace, movement, and finishing that could ease the burden on Salah. With their defensive solidity, renewed leadership, and attacking balance, Egypt look better equipped than ever to finally claim that elusive World Cup win.

Iran 500/1, To Win Group 6/1, Q -200 No +150

Iran’s final 26‑man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is led by captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh and star striker Mehdi Taremi. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei has selected one of the oldest squads at the tournament. With an average age of 29.8. The squad has a strong domestic core, with 17 players coming from the Iran Pro League.

Iran reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup by navigating AFC qualifying in two phases. They won their Round 2 group, and then finished top of their Round 3 group. Iran officially sealed qualification with a 2–2 draw against Uzbekistan in March 2025.

Iran’s most likely starting XI for the 2026 World Cup is a 4‑3‑3 built around experience, defensive stability, and a Taremi‑led attack. Ghalenoei values continuity. Expect him to maintain his experienced defenders and keep a stable spine.

Midfield balance will be key, with Saeid Ezatolahi anchoring and shielding the back four, while Saman Ghoddos will look to create alongside Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Jahanbakhsh will aim to drive the team forward and link with the attacking front three. Mehdi Taremi will operate through the middle, supported by Mehdi Ghayedi and Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh, who will provide mobility around him.

Iran will hope to get their full‑backs high and wide, with Ramin Rezaeian and Ehsan Hajsafi providing width and delivering crosses into Taremi.

This will be a tall order for Iran as they begin their campaign on 15 June, with a winnable  fixture against New Zealand in Los Angeles. Iran will not play their matches in Mexico.  All three group games are in the United States. However,  they are expected to base their training camp in Mexico, a decision confirmed despite the current political tensions in the region. Security is expected to be extremely tight throughout the tournament.

New Zealand 2500/1, To Win Group 25/1, Q +187 No -250

The All Whites return to the tournament for the first time since 2010 and complete the lineup in Group G. Their qualification route was the simplest in their history and also their most dominant.  They qualified directly as OFC champions after winning every match, scoring 29 goals and conceding just once. Captain Chris Wood and Tommy Smith become the first New Zealand men to appear at two World Cups, which adds an important layer of experience to the group.

Even so, Group G is an incredibly tough draw. Belgium, ranked 9th in the world, Iran, ranked 21st, and Egypt, ranked 29th, all sit well above New Zealand in the FIFA standings. The All Whites enter as the 85th ranked nation, making them the lowest ranked team in the entire 48 team tournament. Although Bazeley recognises the scale of the challenge, his squad does not look like one that has arrived simply for the experience. Instead, he will adopt a 4‑2‑3‑1 shape with a double pivot to keep the team compact. This shifts into a 4‑4‑2 out of possession to protect central areas.

New Zealand possess significant aerial strength at both ends of the pitch.  One of their biggest weapons is their set piece threat. Sarpreet Singh’s delivery from either side will be crucial as he aims to pick out Chris Wood, Michael Boxall, Tyler Bindon, and Finn Surman. They kick off their campaign on 15 June against Iran in Los Angeles. That feels like a pivotal match that could shape the entire group. Whoever wins that encounter may give themselves a genuine chance of progressing

World Cup Group G Picks

Group G sees Belgium as overwhelming Group favourites yet their short price doesn’t appeal. Egypt vs Iran is the real battleground and New Zealand are priced as longshots across every market. The best value sits in the straight‑forecast, and the lowest scoring team outright market.

Jeremy Doku finished the Premier League season strongly for Manchester City and he’s value to be the Red Devils top scorer.

Whilst New Zealand made hay in qualification but this is a massive step up in class. I  expect them to struggle to create opportunities against teams ranked significantly higher than themselves. Back New Zealand to be the lowest scoring team at 14-1.

Belgium/Iran Group Forecast +225

New Zealand Lowest Scoring Team 14/1

Jeremy Doku Belgium Top Scorer +850