Belgium Stands Alone
In Group G of the 2026 World Cup, Belgium, ranked 8th in the world, is undoubtedly the strongest seeded team in the group. Based on their recent friendly performances, Belgium is in red-hot form, having not only thrashed Tunisia 5-0 and Liechtenstein 7-0, but also defeated the United States 5-2, showcasing formidable attacking firepower. As the heavy favorite to advance from the group, Belgium will strive to finish in the top spot.
Iran and Egypt Battle for Second Place
Iran, ranked 21st in the world, and Egypt, ranked 35th, will be the primary rivals for the other qualification spot. Iran has recently shown strong competitiveness with a 5-0 victory over Costa Rica and a 3-1 win against Gambia. Although Egypt recently drew 0-0 with Nigeria and lost 1-2 to Brazil, they also delivered an eye-catching 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. The two teams will face off in a decisive match on June 27.
New Zealand Faces a Severe Test
In contrast, New Zealand, ranked only 83rd in the world, is the weakest team in the group. New Zealand has been in poor form recently, suffering a 0-4 loss to Haiti and 0-2 defeats to both Finland and Ecuador, with only a 4-1 victory over Chile to show for their efforts. For New Zealand, their opening match against Iran on June 16 will put their defense to a massive test.
