Getting to Know Group G
If you like your football with a dash of unavoidable geopolitics, Group G is for you thanks to the inclusion of Iran, who as you might have heard are embroiled in a war with the United States and Israel. Unless there’s currently a ceasefire that may or may not be a ceasefire while they try to negotiate a deal that may or may not be on the table. There’s a lot to unpack, but it seems fairly certain at this point that Iran will at least be at the World Cup, which did seem in real doubt for a minute
there.
As for the football, on paper Iran had been looking solid this cycle. While not amongst the top favourites, a year ago they were widely seen as being on the level of AFC mainstays Japan, Korea, and Australia. The goal for that Iran side would have been to try to beat Egypt to second in this group.
Now, it’s a lot harder to know what we might actually get. That’s likely to the benefit of Egypt, who with a pair of star forwards in Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush will look to set themselves apart as the likeliest challenger to group favourites Belgium. Certainly that will be what The Pharaohs are now targeting.
Regardless who’s doing the challenging, though, Belgium are favourites for good reason. While that nation’s golden generation have begun to age out without having achieved the success many expected, they’ve got a few promising youngsters working their way into the mix and there are still a lot of familiar names and plenty of star power in the squad.
This is the proverbial last dance for Belgian legends like goalkeeper Thibaut Courois, midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, and striker Romelu Lukaku—and they will be desperate to achieve something special before riding off into the sunset. Also there’s New Zealand in the group, who will mostly just be happy to be there. Their football team doesn’t do a pre-match haka. Sorry.
How to Watch
Monday, June 15th
Belgium vs. Egypt
3PM EST/12PM PST | Lumen Field, Seattle
How to Watch: FOX
Iran vs. New Zealand
9PM EST/6PM PST | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood (CA)
How to Watch: FS1
Sunday, June 21st
Belgium vs. Iran
3PM EST/12PM PST | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood (CA)
How to Watch: FS1
New Zealand vs. Egypt
9PM EST/6PM PST | BC Place, Vancouver
How to Watch: FS1
Friday, June 26th
Egypt vs. Iran
11PM EST/8PM PST | Lumen Field, Seattle
How to Watch: FS1
New Zealand vs. Belgium
11PM EST/8PM PST | BC Place, Vancouver
How to Watch: FOX
Game of the Group
Belgium vs. Egypt
Iran might be the great unknown, but if you’re focusing on the pitch rather than off it the biggest stories are around Belgium and Egypt at a World Cup that will mark a final chance for some of the greatest players the game has ever seen to make a difference on its biggest stage.
Belgium are at the end of the cycle for what was supposed to be their golden generation. They came close to something special in 2018 when they won third at the World Cup in Russia, but took a big step back and didn’t get out of their group at Qatar 2022. At the Euros their best ever side has only ever made it as far as the quarter-finals. World Cup 2026 is the last chance not just for Courtois, De Bruyne, and Lukaku but also many others.
Then there’s Egypt and Mo Salah. One of the Premier League’s all-time great forwards. One of Liverpool’s best ever players. Egypt’s best ever player and arguably the greatest African forward in history—though there’s some North Africa vs. Sub-Saharan tension to that conversation that would take almost as much time to unpack as what’s going on in Iran. Regardless, Salah is now 33 years old, and Egypt may never see another player of his calibre.
It’s now or never for Belgium’s golden generation. It’s now or never for Egypt and Salah. And they play each other in the opener.
Group G Predictions
Belgium getting top spot and Egypt seizing on the opportunity to advance from second to give both countries a little joy and hope before their aging superstars retire from international football is hard to bet against here.
As for Iran, while it’s possible they’ll be out to prove a point, the situation they find themselves in is incredibly difficult and if they don’t take three points in their opener against New Zealand it will be a clear sign they’re in a lot of trouble. It’s perhaps worth noting, though, that second place here in Group G faces second from Group D, and Group D is where the United States is.
Now, Group D does also have Australia, Turkey, and Paraguay. Which means it’s hard to imagine the USMNT won’t finish first. On the other hand, the two countries finishing second in their groups is probably the only way Iran and the United States could end up facing each other at this World Cup, and that’d be a real doozy if you’re talking narratives and storylines.
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