FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G Schedule
Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand meet from June 15 to June 26, with the group spread across Seattle, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Seattle again.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G schedule starts on June 15 with two strong opening matches on the U.S. West Coast. Belgium faces Egypt in Seattle, while IR Iran meets New Zealand in Los Angeles later the same day. That setup gives the group an immediate split between a heavyweight meeting and a fascinating intercontinental test. Inside the wider FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule, Group G looks one of the more balanced sections outside the top seeds.
Belgium enters as the highest-ranked and most experienced team in the group, yet Egypt and IR Iran both came through qualification with real authority. New Zealand also arrives after a flawless OFC route and carries enough discipline to frustrate stronger sides. That mix should make every point matter from the start.
- Teams: 4
- Matches: 6
- Date Range: June 15-26
Group G Schedule Overview
| Date | Kickoff Time (ET) | Match | Venue | Round/Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 15, 2026 | 3 p.m. ET | Belgium vs Egypt | Seattle Stadium, Seattle | Group G |
| June 15, 2026 | 9 p.m. ET | IR Iran vs New Zealand | Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood | Group G |
| June 21, 2026 | 3 p.m. ET | Belgium vs IR Iran | Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood | Group G |
| June 21, 2026 | 9 p.m. ET | New Zealand vs Egypt | BC Place Vancouver, Vancouver | Group G |
| June 26, 2026 | 3 p.m. ET | Egypt vs IR Iran | Seattle Stadium, Seattle | Group G |
| June 26, 2026 | 3 p.m. ET | New Zealand vs Belgium | BC Place Vancouver, Vancouver | Group G |
Pre-tournament standings — Group G begins in June 2026. All figures are pre-tournament and will update once the group stage starts.
Group G Teams at FIFA World Cup 2026
Group G blends European pedigree, African star power, Asian consistency, and Oceania ambition. Belgium has the deepest modern World Cup record in the section, Egypt brings Mohamed Salah and an unbeaten qualifying campaign, IR Iran continues one of Asia's strongest qualification runs, and New Zealand returns after easing through OFC. That gives the group a favorite, but not much room for drift.
The schedule is also arranged in a way that can change quickly. Belgium and Egypt set the early tone, while IR Iran and New Zealand play a first-ever World Cup meeting on the same day. By the time the group reaches June 21, the table could either tighten completely or start to separate around Belgium.
Belgium
The Belgium national team enters Group G as the top seed and still carries one of the stronger tournament cores in the field. Rudi Garcia has inherited a side with Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, and Romelu Lukaku still central to the biggest moments. The opening match against Egypt is already a proper test because it is probably the hardest first game available in the group. If Belgium handles that pressure well, it can shape the section before the final day.
Egypt
The Egypt national team returns to the finals for the first time since 2018 and does so with Mohamed Salah still carrying the main attacking spotlight. The Pharaohs qualified unbeaten and bring a disciplined base that fits tournament football. Starting against Belgium is difficult, yet it also gives Egypt a chance to steal immediate control of the group. If they stay compact in Seattle, the later New Zealand and IR Iran fixtures become even more significant.
IR Iran
The IR Iran national team continues one of Asia's most reliable World Cup phases and arrives for a seventh finals appearance. Amir Ghalenoei still leans on Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun, and a side that usually stays tactically clear over ninety minutes. The opener against New Zealand matters because Belgium waits on matchday two. A strong start there could put IR Iran in position to attack the group rather than simply manage it.
New Zealand
The New Zealand national team is back at the World Cup for just the third time and comes in after a flawless OFC qualification campaign. Darren Bazeley has a group that may not carry the same profile as the other three teams, yet it does have structure, athletic discipline, and belief from qualification. The first game against IR Iran looks especially important because points there would change the pressure around the whole section. New Zealand may be the outsider, but it is not simply here to make up numbers.
Group G Standings
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Belgium | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2. Egypt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3. IR Iran | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4. New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Belgium vs Iran — The Growing Gap That Defines Group G
Belgium and Iran are the group's defining fixture on paper. Belgium have been ranked in the global top five for much of the last decade and reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals. Iran, meanwhile, has qualified for consecutive World Cups and produced disciplined defensive displays at Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. A direct Belgium–Iran meeting would test whether Iran can replicate that defensive structure against Europe's most technically gifted side.
Egypt return to the World Cup with Mohamed Salah still capable of single-match impact. New Zealand are making the tournament as the OFC representative. The head-to-head record between the group's middle pair is limited, which means both the Egypt–Iran and Egypt–New Zealand fixtures could effectively decide who challenges Belgium for second.
48-Team Format — How Third Place Qualification Works
The 2026 FIFA World Cup uses an expanded 48-team format for the first time. Forty-eight nations compete across 12 groups of four teams each. The top two finishers in every group advance automatically to the round of 32, accounting for 24 qualified teams. The remaining eight places go to the best third-place finishers across all 12 groups, ranked by points, goal difference, goals scored, and then FIFA fair-play criteria.
This means finishing third in Group G is not automatically an elimination. A team that collects four points — typically a win and a draw — with a positive goal difference has a strong chance of advancing as one of the eight best third-place sides. Teams finishing bottom of their group are eliminated regardless of points, since only one third-place team per group can advance.
The practical implication for Group G is that the race for second place carries more pressure than the race for first, while even a team in third is not out of contention until the last group matches are completed across all 12 sections.
Group G Qualification Prediction
Based on FIFA rankings, squad depth, home advantage factors, and head-to-head records, the following table shows the most likely qualification outcome from Group G. These predictions are pre-tournament estimates — a single result in any match can change the picture completely.
| Team | Predicted Finish | Qualification Route |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 1st | Automatic qualification |
| Egypt | 2nd | Automatic qualification |
| IR Iran | 3rd | Best third-place contender |
| New Zealand | 4th | Elimination risk |
Key Dates and Venue Notes
June 15 is one of the strongest first days outside the host groups. Belgium meets Egypt in Seattle in a match that could shape first place, while IR Iran and New Zealand close the day in Los Angeles. Those two results should leave Group G with an immediate hierarchy, even if it is only provisional.
June 21 is the tactical pivot. Belgium faces IR Iran in Los Angeles, and that pairing could decide whether the top seed is actually in control or still under pressure. Later that day, New Zealand meets Egypt in Vancouver in a fixture that may feel like a direct battle for survival or qualification depending on the opening round.
The final round on June 26 is clean and easy to track because both matches kick off together. Egypt returns to Seattle to face IR Iran, while New Zealand stays in Vancouver for Belgium. That split keeps the group fair and should leave no room for late scoreboard management.
How to Watch Group G Matches Live
The easiest live tracker for Group G is the FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule, especially because the group uses two simultaneous final-day matches in separate cities. In the United States, FOX and FS1 carry the main English-language coverage, while Telemundo handles Spanish-language broadcasts. For channel and streaming details before each Group G kickoff, use the official broadcast coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams are in FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G?
Group G features Belgium, Egypt, IR Iran, and New Zealand. Belgium is the seeded favorite in the section.
When does the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G schedule start?
Group G starts on June 15, 2026 with Belgium vs Egypt in Seattle. The final two group matches are on June 26, 2026.
Where is Belgium vs IR Iran in Group G?
Belgium vs IR Iran is scheduled for Los Angeles Stadium on June 21, 2026. Kickoff is listed at 3 p.m. ET.
Why is Group G considered balanced?
Belgium, Egypt, and IR Iran all come in with strong recent qualification form, while New Zealand qualified with a perfect OFC campaign. That keeps the group more open than a normal one-seed section.
Can Egypt qualify from Group G despite facing Belgium?
Yes. Egypt's most likely route is finishing second behind Belgium, which requires at least four points from the Iran and New Zealand games and a point or more against Belgium. Mohamed Salah's form is the key variable — if Egypt score in the Belgium match, their goal difference improves enough to make the second-place race straightforward. Iran is the main threat to Egypt's expected second-place finish.
Conclusion
Group G gives Belgium the clearest edge on paper, yet Egypt and IR Iran both have enough structure and quality to turn the group into a real contest. New Zealand also arrives with the kind of disciplined route that can make favorite teams uncomfortable.
That should make Group G one of the more quietly competitive sections once the second matchday begins.