FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G: Belgium fancied, King Salah and Iran’s underdogs

Group G at the 2026 FIFA World Cup pits together several underdogs, as Iran, New Zealand, Egypt and Belgium tussle it out for a place in the last 32. 

With this group looking more open than some of the others, perhaps we could get a shock or two. You can read on for my World Cup 2026 Group G predictions.

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Belgium

FIFA world ranking: 9

To win the group: 1/3

Rudi Garcia is following in the footsteps of Domenico Tedesco and Roberto Martinez, looking to get the best out of a Belgium team that still possesses plenty of talent. 

The bulk of the Golden Generation is long gone, and so too is the expectation that came with it, although the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois still remain. 

Even 37-year-old Axel Witsel has come along for the ride, remarkably being selected ahead of the likes of Romeo Lavia and Mandela Keita. They are heavy favourites to win this group having gone unbeaten in a qualification group that contained Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein, winning five and drawing three of their eight outings. 

Two thrillers with Wales went in their favour (4-3 and 4-2), and ultimately that secured them top spot, with the attacking talent clearly still apparent. Malick Fofana, Lois Openda and most surprisingly Mika Godts have all been left out up top, with the Ajax man getting 28 goals contributions in 32 appearances this term.

This Belgium side can succeed and should dominate this group, but a deep run will require a far chunk of fortune. 

Key player: Jeremy Doku

There’s so many stars in this side, but Jeremy Doku feels like the one who can perform against the best defenders in the world. The Manchester City man has kicked on again this term with eight goals and 14 assists and has clearly got the trust of Pep Guardiola in big games. 

Leandro Trossard and Lukaku may also have big roles to play in Belgium’s attack, but Doku can terrorise any full-back in the world and can make this World Cup his own. 

Prediction: Winning the group is a must for Belgium and that should present them with a more than favourable draw for the first couple of knockout rounds. 

A team like Saudi Arabia will await in the last 32, while they could face Turkey in the last 16. I’d expect them to progress through both of those before colliding with Spain in the quarter-finals. That should spell the end of the road. 

Football Odds

Egypt

FIFA world ranking: 29

To win the group: 9/2

Egypt smashed their CAF qualification group to make it to the World Cup, winning eight and drawing twice to qualify for the finals automatically. 

African qualifying began way back in November 2023, and of course Mohamed Salah stepped up for his country, top scoring with nine goals in those 10 qualifiers. 

This squad contains some eye-catching attacking talent, including Salah, Man City’s Omar Marmoush and Trezeguet should all feature, with the latter forming part of a strong Al Ahly contingent - with the Egyptian giants playing at the Club World Cup in the United States last summer. 

The Pharohs lost three from three at their last World Cup appearance in 2018, and have never won a World Cup match, so that will be the first aim here in a weaker group than usual given the extended tournament. 

Key player: Mo Salah

Still the Egyptian king - it will come as no surprise that he is the man in focus for us. A frustrating season has come to an end at Anfield, and perhaps the end of his distinguished career at Liverpool. 

He’s taken pops at Arne Slot on social media, and their relationship is clearly at breaking point. Going away with his country, where he is adored and will play every minute, could be exactly what he needs before he plans his next move. 

Salah is the main man for Egypt and could do with a timely world class showing to remind everybody just how good he is. He should be fresh, and that could be dangerous for his Group G opponents. 

Prediction: I think Egypt will be in a tussle to finish second in this group which will be a key factor in determining who they face in the last 32. If they get second they will face a far more favourable draw, and they should be able to edge Iran out.

If they get third, a team such as Switzerland await in the last 32, and unfortunately for Salah and his teammates, I don’t think they have the class to progress past a strong European outfit. Get second, and the draw opens up and they can go one further. 

Iran 

FIFA world ranking: 21

To win the group: 6/1

There is still some uncertainty about Iran’s participation at this summer’s tournament, after the United States and Israel’s attacks on their country, but don’t fear, Gianni Infantino, the man who always says the right thing, has confirmed they will play.

"Of course, Iran will play in the United States of America. The reason for that is simple, because we have to unite. We have to bring people together."

Presuming that they do play, player safety must be a primary concern, but their squad is actually pretty strong. They romped through AFC qualifying, only losing one of their 16 total qualifiers as they topped their group ahead of Uzbekistan. 

Amir Ghalenoei has a hard-working squad that doesn’t feature superstars, but instead work hard for each other and are difficult to beat. Mehdi Taremi, now at Olympiacos, has been called up to the warm-up camp in Turkiye and should make the squad while Mehdi Ghayedi is performing well at Al-Nasr. 

Former Brighton man Alireza Jahanbakhsh is two caps away from 100 and offers great experience, but it’s blown out of the water by Ehsan Hajsafi, who has 144 caps and now plays for Sepahan in Iran. The Persian Pro League has been suspended since the breakout of the war and could seriously impact this Iran side. 

Key Player: Mehdi Taremi

Still Iran’s main man. The former Porto man now finds himself in Greece with Olympiacos, and he is still banging in the goals, with 10 in 24 league games this term. He also scored two in the Champions League and has proven he can still perform at the top level.

59 goals in 103 international appearances is some going, and this is surely going to be the 33-year-old’s final World Cup. He can make a big impression on Group G. 

Prediction: Winning a game at this World Cup will be a massive achievement for Iran, and I think there’s a big chance for them against both New Zealand and possibly Iran. 

Ultimately, despite the lack of league action for some of their league players, I think the ultimate underdogs can finish third and make it to the knockout stage. Their journey won’t go any further than that however. 

World Cup Odds

New Zealand

FIFA world ranking: 85

To win the group: 25/1

New Zealand were the only unbeaten team at the 2010 World Cup, their last appearance at the competition. They drew all three of their group games, whereas eventual champions Spain lost their opener, so they do hold that unique little record. 

Their last World Cup loss came back in 1982, as this will be only their third appearance at the finals. Their squad is led by Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood, who has 45 goals in 88 apps, and is the leader at 34 years of age. 

Tommy Smith is not at Braintree Town and has made the squad at 36, along with Sheffield United’s Tyler Bindon and Port Vale’s FA Cup star Ben Waine. Big outsiders, but could be a lot of fun. 

Key Player: Chris Wood

I wanted to find another player other than Wood, but the truth is he is their main man and all hopes rest on his shoulders. His goalscoring record is fantastic for his country and he has come back to fitness at the right time for this World Cup, having missed the majority of the season with Forest due to a knee issue. 

He needs to be fit and firing if NZ have any chance of progressing out of the group.

Prediction: Yep, sorry New Zealand. I think this is a tricky Group G for them, even though Iran haven’t had a leage to fall back on. They just don’t play any decent nations in qualifying, beating New Caledonia 3-0 to reach the World Cup, and as a result, these teams are going to be too strong for Darren Bazeley’s side. 

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