2026 FIFA World Cup Group G
Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place from June 15 to 26, 2026.[1] The group consisted of Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. All of the matches in Group G were played at three venues on the West Coast of the United States and Canada: SoFi Stadium in the Greater Los Angeles area; Lumen Field in Seattle; and BC Place in Vancouver.[2][3]
Belgium topped the group with a crucial win against New Zealand, with Egypt finishing as group runners-up based on goal difference. Both teams advanced to the round of 32.
Iran finished in third place, and were eliminated as they were out-performed by other teams in third place within their groups, failing to finish as one of the eight best third-place teams.[4] New Zealand finished fourth after a decisive defeat against Belgium, and were also eliminated.
Teams
[edit]| Draw position | Team | Pot | Confederation | Method of qualification |
Date of qualification |
Finals appearance |
Last appearance |
Previous best performance |
FIFA Rankings[5][6] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2025[nb 1] | June 2026 | |||||||||
| G1 | .svg/40px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png){kind=small} Belgium |
1 | UEFA | UEFA Group J winner | November 18, 2025 | 15th | 2022 | Third place (2018) | 8 | 9 |
| G2 |  Egypt |
3 | CAF | CAF Group A winner | October 8, 2025 | 4th | 2018 | First round (1934), group stage (1990, 2018) | 34 | 29 |
| G3 |  Iran |
2 | AFC | AFC third round Group A winner | March 25, 2025 | 7th | 2022 | Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022) | 20 | 20 |
| G4 |  New Zealand |
4 | OFC | OFC third round winner | March 24, 2025 | 3rd | 2010 | Group stage (1982, 2010) | 86 | 85 |
Notes
- ^ The rankings of November 2025 were used for seeding for the final draw.[7]
Standings
[edit]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 5[a] | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Egypt
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5[a] | |
| 3 | Iran
|
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 4 | New Zealand
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | −6 | 1 |
In the round of 32:[4]
- The winner of Group G, Belgium, advanced to play the third-place team of Group I, Senegal.
- The runner-up of Group G, Egypt, advanced to play the runner-up of Group D, Australia.
Matches
[edit]All times listed are local, UTC−7 (PDT).[1]
Belgium vs Egypt
[edit]
The teams had previously faced each other four times, most recently in 2022, a 2–1 win for Egypt in a friendly.[8]
Despite Egypt's early lead, a costly own goal mistake caused by Mohamed Hany caused the Belgian team to become level, though Belgium had been having trouble breaking through the formidable Egyptian team, which ended in a 1–1 draw altogether.
| Belgium | 1–1 | Egypt |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 1] |
|
          Belgium[9]
|
     Egypt[9]
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Man of the Match:
Assistant referees:[9]
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Iran vs New Zealand
[edit]The two teams have faced each other twice, most recently in the 2003 AFC–OFC Challenge Cup, which Iran won by 3–0.[11]
Elijah Just earned his team's lead by making two consecutive goals, but throughout the second half, Mohammad Mohebi leveled the Iranian team in the 64th minute as New Zealand struggled to break through the tie. Ultimately, the match ended with a 2–2 finish.
This marked New Zealand having their fourth draw since their last appearance in 2010, marred by their inconsistencies throughout the match. Ramin Rezaeian was chosen as Man of the Match for the Iranian team.
| Iran | 2–2 | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 2] |
|
   Iran[12]
|
    New Zealand[12]
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Belgium vs Iran
[edit]
The two teams had never met before.
Both teams struggled to make and all goals throughout the match and ultimately, both teams ended with a clean sheet altogether, with Alireza Beiranvand being chosen as Man of the Match for his consistenies in the match, with Nathan Ngoy being sent off with a straight red card for his reckless tackle.
| Belgium | 0–0 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| [Report 3] |
Belgium[13]
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Iran[13]
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Man of the Match:
Assistant referees:[13]
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New Zealand vs Egypt
[edit]
The two teams had faced each other three times, most recently in the 2024 FIFA Series, which Egypt won by 1–0.[14]
This was the first World Cup match won by Egypt in its history since their debut in 1934.[15]
As for New Zealand, this was their first World Cup defeat in 44 years. During their last appearance in 2010, they exited the competition after the first round despite being the only team not to lose a game during the tournament.
| New Zealand | 1–3 | Egypt |
|---|---|---|
|
[Report 4] |
     New Zealand[16]
|
   Egypt[16]
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Man of the Match:
Assistant referees:[16]
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Egypt vs Iran
[edit]The two teams had faced each other twice, most recently in the 2000 LG Cup; Egypt won 8–7 on penalties following a 1–1 draw.[17]
A "Pride Match" was planned in advance to take place in Seattle, organized by the local committee to tie into the local celebration and without endorsement by FIFA. After the draw and release of the schedule, it was determined that this match would feature Egypt and Iran, two countries where LGBT rights are severely restricted (see LGBT rights in Egypt and Iran) and homosexuality is punishable by law, including the death penalty in Iran.[18][19] Seattle's Pride Match Advisory Committee spokesperson said "The Pride Match has been scheduled to celebrate and elevate Pride events in Seattle and across the country and it was planned well in advance."[20] Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said both countries had "objections" and that the branding was an "irrational move that supports a certain group." Iran was planning to appeal the decision.[21] The Egyptian Football Association also sent a formal letter to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström rejecting "in absolute terms" LGBTQ connections to the game.[22] A day before the match, Iran requested FIFA to ban pride flags inside the stadium, as well as preventing any "ceremonies or promotional activities" in support of the community, which was rejected.[23]
Following a 3–3 draw in the Group J match between Algeria and Austria, Iran was eliminated from the group stage after dropping to 9th place below Senegal in the third-placed rankings, marking their seventh overall failure to advance.
| Egypt | 1–1 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
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[Report 5] |
|
Egypt[24]
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Iran[24]
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Man of the Match:
Assistant referees:[24]
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New Zealand vs Belgium
[edit]
The two teams had never met before.
Belgium scored five goals which were more than enough for the team to ultimately secure their spot at the top of the group, with Leandro Trossard being the Man of the Match. For New Zealand's Elijah Just, this was his third and last goal, though the Belgian team were far too formidable, with New Zealand having fallen to the bottom of the group.
New Zealand failed to secure a single win from their third World Cup appearance, as well as from their two previous World Cup appearances, having four draws and five losses as a result of their overall lackluster performance.
| New Zealand | 1–5 | Belgium |
|---|---|---|
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[Report 6] |
|
New Zealand[25]
|
Belgium[25]
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Man of the Match:
Assistant referees:[25]
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Discipline
[edit]The team conduct ("fair play") score would have been used as a tiebreaker if the head-to-head and overall records of teams were tied. It would also be used as a tiebreaker for the third-place ranking between groups if the overall records of teams were tied. The score was calculated based on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials in all group matches as follows:[4]
- yellow card: −1 point;
- indirect red card (second yellow card): −3 points;
- direct red card: −4 points;
- yellow card and direct red card: −5 points;
Only one of the above deductions could be applied to a player or team official in a single match.
| Team | Match 1 | Match 2 | Match 3 | Score | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| New Zealand
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2 | 2 | –4 | ||||||||||
| Egypt
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2 | 1 | 3 | –6 | |||||||||
| Iran
|
1 | 1 | 4 | –6 | |||||||||
| Belgium
|
2 | 1 | 1 | –7 | |||||||||
References
[edit]- ^ a b "FIFA World Cup 26 – Match Schedule" (PDF). FIFA. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ DeLatte, Tracy (December 5, 2025). "World Cup 2026: What to know about Group G". KDFW. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ Booth, Tim (December 6, 2025). "2026 FIFA World Cup schedule: Seattle matches' times, matchups unveiled". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ a b c "FIFA World Cup 2026 Regulations" (PDF). FIFA. May 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ "FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking (19 November 2025)". FIFA. November 19, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ "FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking (11 June 2026)". FIFA. June 11, 2026. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
- ^ "Draw Procedures for the FIFA World Cup 2026" (PDF). FIFA. November 25, 2025. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
- ^ "Belgium national football team: record v Egypt". 11v11.com. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Tactical Line-up – Group G – Belgium v. Egypt" (PDF). FIFA. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f "Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match – every winner". FIFA. June 21, 2026. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
- ^ "Iran national football team: record v New Zealand". 11v11.com. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Tactical Line-up – Group G – IR Iran v. New Zealand" (PDF). FIFA. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Tactical Line-up – Group G – Belgium v. IR Iran" (PDF). FIFA. June 21, 2026. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
- ^ "New Zealand national football team: record v Egypt". 11v11.com. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ^ "Egypt earn long-awaited first victory". FIFA. June 22, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Tactical Line-up – Group G – New Zealand v. Egypt" (PDF). FIFA. June 21, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ^ "Egypt national football team: record v Iran". 11v11.com. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ^ Smith, Emma (December 8, 2025). "2026 World Cup 'Pride Match' to feature Egypt and Iran". BBC Sport. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ "Iran: Islamic Penal Code". Retrieved January 7, 2021.
Article 234: 'The hadd punishment for the receptive/passive party, in any case (whether or not he meets the conditions for ihsan) shall be the death penalty.' Article 236: 'If the active party is a non-Muslim and the passive party is a Muslim, the hadd punishment for the active party shall be the death penalty'
- ^ James, Alastair (December 9, 2025). "Iran and Egypt object to playing World Cup 'Pride Match'". PinkNews. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ "Iran objects to 'Pride Match' branding of World Cup game against Egypt". The Straits Times. December 9, 2025. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ Smith, Emma (December 9, 2025). "2026 World Cup: Seattle 'Pride Match' set to happen despite Egypt objections". BBC Sport. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ^ "FIFA clashes with Iran, Egypt over rainbow symbols at World Cup Pride Match". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c "Tactical Line-up – Group G – Egypt v. IR Iran" (PDF). FIFA. June 26, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Tactical Line-up – Group G – New Zealand v. Belgium" (PDF). FIFA. June 26, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
Reports
[edit]- ^
- "Belgium vs Egypt | First Stage | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- "Match Report – Group G – Belgium v. Egypt". FIFA. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- "Post match summary report – Group G – Belgium v. Egypt". FIFA. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
- ^
- "IR Iran vs New Zealand | First Stage | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- "Match Report – Group G – IR Iran v. New Zealand". FIFA. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
- "Post match summary report – Group G – IR Iran v. New Zealand". FIFA. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
- ^
- "Belgium vs IR Iran | First Stage | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
- "Match Report – Group G – Belgium v. IR Iran". FIFA. June 21, 2026. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
- "Post match summary report – Group G – Belgium v. IR Iran". FIFA. June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ^
- "New Zealand vs Egypt | First Stage | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- "Match Report – Group G – New Zealand v. Egypt". FIFA. June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- "Post match summary report – Group G – New Zealand v. Egypt". FIFA. June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
- ^
- "Egypt vs IR Iran | First Stage | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
- "Match Report – Group G – Egypt v. IR Iran". FIFA. June 27, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
- "Post match summary report – Group G – Egypt v. IR Iran". FIFA. June 27, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
- ^
- "New Zealand vs Belgium | First Stage | FIFA World Cup 2026". FIFA. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
- "Match Report – Group G – New Zealand v. Belgium". FIFA. June 27, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
- "Post match summary report – Group G – New Zealand v. Belgium". FIFA. June 27, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
External links
[edit]- 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage
- Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- New Zealand at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Sports competitions in Inglewood, California
- Soccer competitions in Los Angeles County, California
- 2026 in sports in Los Angeles County, California
- Soccer in Seattle
- Sports competitions in Seattle
- Soccer competitions in Washington (state)
- 2026 in Seattle
- 2026 in sports in Washington (state)
- LGBTQ culture in Seattle
- 2026 in sports in British Columbia
- Soccer competitions in Vancouver
- 2026 in Vancouver
- LGBTQ events in Washington (state)