Group G is not the best group in the tournament, which was going to happen with the expanded World Cup format. Belgium still has elite quality on the team, and have a favorable path to the knockouts.
Belgium (FIFA Rank 9)
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Belgium golden generation is on its last legs, and the country will send a new crop of players, along with some of their aging superstars. Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois still have plenty of skill to get Belgium far in this tournament, even at age 34, but whether or not they have the depth is the question. Jeremy Doku will be one of the players making their World Cup debut that the nation will rely on, after being one of Manchester City’s best players down the stretch.
Egypt (FIFA Rank 29)
Embed from Getty ImagesMohamed Salah isn’t getting any younger, and will be leaving Liverpool after the World Cup concludes. Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush will be the Egyptians hope to carry them into the knockouts of their first World Cup appearance since Russia in 2018. Most of the players play at Egyptian giant Al Ahly, and will have team chemistry figured out long before other countries have.
Iran (FIFA Rank 21)
Embed from Getty ImagesIran nearly stunned the United States back in 2022, and are looking to pull another shocker in 2026. The name brand might not be there for Iran, but they are going to put up a fight against anyone. They didn’t get to nearly be a top 20 ranked team for no reason.
New Zealand (FIFA Rank 85)
Embed from Getty ImagesNew Zealand is the only country to qualify in Oceania, as Australia qualifies through Asia, and are the lowest ranked team in the tournament, but they have Chris Wood, who scored 20 goals for Nottingham Forest in 2025. What other, lower ranked teams don’t have is a player on Wood’s caliber.
Official Prediction:
Belgium would’ve been in more trouble if they had been placed in a tougher group, but they still have more than enough to get through this one. The rest of the teams will all be fighting for second, but Egypt has the most starpower, so they will go through.
- Belgium
- Egypt
- Iran
- New Zealand