Tournament Preview: Group G

Group G features a blend of established international pedigree, experienced tournament teams and ambitious challengers hoping to take advantage of the expanded tournament format. Let’s take a closer look at Group G in this summer’s big tournament!

Belgium remain the standout name in the section, but Egypt and Iran both arrive with strong recent qualifying campaigns behind them, while New Zealand will hope to embrace their underdog status and surprise more fancied opponents.

The group may not contain one of the tournament’s absolute favourites, but it does offer plenty of quality, experience and contrasting styles that could make qualification far from straightforward.

Belgium

Belgium enter the tournament looking to prove they remain a major force on the international stage despite the gradual transition away from the side’s celebrated “Golden Generation”.

Kevin De Bruyne continues to be the team’s leading figure and creative heartbeat, while Jeremy Doku provides pace and unpredictability in attack alongside Leandro Trossard and Romelu Lukaku. In midfield, captain Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana offer balance and physicality, while Thibaut Courtois remains one of the world’s elite goalkeepers.

Under Rudi Garcia, Belgium still possess enough quality and experience to approach Group G with confidence. The expectation will be to progress comfortably into the knockout rounds before attempting to challenge deeper into the tournament.

Although the squad may no longer carry the same level of hype as previous Belgian generations, there is still enough talent throughout the side to make them dangerous opponents for any nation in the competition.

Egypt

Egypt arrive at the tournament after an outstanding qualifying campaign in which they won all 10 matches and conceded only twice.

Defensive organisation has become one of the side’s greatest strengths, but Egypt also possess genuine attacking quality capable of troubling elite opposition. Mohamed Salah remains the nation’s iconic figure and primary attacking threat, while Omar Marmoush adds further pace, movement and creativity in forward areas.

The balance between defensive discipline and attacking efficiency gives Egypt a realistic chance of progressing from the group, particularly with the expanded tournament format increasing opportunities for teams finishing outside the automatic qualification places.

This is only Egypt’s fourth tournament appearance, but confidence will be high following their dominant qualifying performances. If they can carry that momentum into the tournament, they could emerge as one of the more dangerous teams outside the traditional favourites.

Iran

Iran continue to establish themselves as regular participants on the world stage and head into the tournament for a fourth consecutive tournament appearance.

Team Melli produced another strong qualifying campaign and once again demonstrated the resilience and organisation that have defined the side in recent years. Under Amir Ghalenoei, Iran remain difficult to break down and consistently competitive against strong opposition.

Captain Mehdi Taremi remains the central figure in attack and continues to carry much of the goalscoring responsibility, while Saman Ghoddos provides creativity and experience in advanced areas.

Despite their consistency at qualification level, Iran are still chasing a first-ever appearance in the tournament knockout rounds. The expanded format could provide their best opportunity yet to finally break that barrier, especially in what looks like a competitive but open group behind Belgium.

New Zealand

New Zealand complete Group G as outsiders, but the All Whites will arrive determined to compete strongly and potentially challenge for a historic place in the knockout stages.

Their previous tournament appearance in 2010 remains memorable after they finished unbeaten in the group stage, and the squad will hope to draw confidence from that achievement heading into the tournament.

Much of New Zealand’s attacking hopes rest on experienced striker Chris Wood, who remains the side’s focal point in front of goal. Elsewhere, players such as Tyler Bindon, Marko Stamenic and Elijah Just provide a growing connection to European football and increasing experience at a higher level.

While progression may prove difficult in such a competitive group, New Zealand’s organisation and fighting spirit mean they should not be underestimated. If they can remain defensively disciplined and take advantage of key moments, they may yet cause problems for more established opponents.

Conclusion

Belgium enter Group G as clear favourites to top the group, but the battle behind them looks finely balanced.

Egypt’s defensive strength and attacking quality make them serious contenders for qualification, while Iran’s consistency and tournament experience ensure they remain dangerous opponents capable of grinding out important results.

New Zealand complete the group as underdogs, but their resilience and freedom from expectation could still make them awkward opposition.

With several sides carrying realistic hopes of reaching the knockout stages, Group G has the potential to become one of the more competitive groups of the tournament.

Interesting bets:

• Belgium to win Group G at 1.35
• Egypt to finish 2nd in Group G at 2.30
• New Zealand to not qualify from Group G at 1.50

Don’t forget that we also have Early Payout on this tournament, which you can read more about here.

Odds might have changed since the writing and/or publication of this article.

Last Updated: 05.06.2026