2026 World Cup Group G preview and predictions

Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAYSun, June 7, 2026 at 12:30 PM UTC

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Two words: Tim Payne.

All eyes of the 2026 World Cup will be on New Zealand's social media star who skyrocketed from 4 thousand to 5 million Instagram followers in the weeks before kickoff. The All Whites are back in the tournament for the first time since 2010.

But there are lots of other storylines in Group G, which also includes Belgium, Egypt and Iran.

Belgium will be seeking redemption after its underwhelming performance in the 2022 World Cup. The Red Devils, led by leading scorer Romelu Lukaku, have finished as high as third in the 2018 tournament and are now fueled in part by some new energy on the team.

Liverpool great Mohamed Salah will be in his second tournament with Egypt. The Pharaohs have gone a homegrown route with their leadership and are hoping a mix of veteran experience and their own rising star will boost them out of the group stage.

There is controversy surrounding Iran due to an ongoing conflict with the United States, one of the three host countries for the tournament. Team Melli has a strong football history, but it has yet to translate to World Cup success and they also hope to make it out of the group stage for the first time.

With at least two teams making it to the Round of 32 from each group in the expanded field of 48 teams, history will be made one way or another out of Group G.

Here is USA TODAY's Group G World Cup preview:

World Cup Group G teamsNew Zealand

The internet is buzzing about Tim Payne, who will be making his World Cup debut as New Zealand plays in only their third World Cup ever and first since 2010. Even though the All Whites finished with three draws in their last tournament, they have yet to get a win on the global stage. Striker Chris Wood set the record for most caps for New Zealand just a week before the World Cup kickoff after previously playing in all three matches in the 2010 tournament. The Nottingham Forest forward is also the team's leading scorer with 45 goals. Manager Darren Bazeley brings extensive knowledge from his playing days in England, where he is from, and he has already had success making it to the knockout stage in three U-20 World Cups with New Zealand.

Key players: Chris Wood, Tommy Smith, Tim Payne

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Egypt

Egypt went undefeated in World Cup qualifying even while switching managers to Hossam Hassan. Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, who is Egypt's all-time leading scorer, scored nine of their 20 goals to boost the Pharaohs back to the tournament after missing the 2022 competition. Egypt has lots of experience on its roster from across the Premier League, Ligue 1 and La Liga as they hope to get out of the group stage for the first time. Manchester City's Omar Marmoush will be a player to watch and, while there is a lot of excitement around Lamine Yamal making his World Cup debut for Spain, Barcelona U19's Hamza Abdelkarim has made an impact at the club and is reportedly being mentored by Salah. There is clearly camaraderie on this side.

Key players: Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Trézéguet, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Hamza Abdelkarim

Iran

Iran has yet to make it out of the group stage of the World Cup in six appearances. Team Melli has a strong football history. They won three straight AFC Asian Cups in 1968, 1972 and 1976 and finished third in the 1996 tournament. They have yet to translate that success onto the larger platform of the World Cup. Mehdi Taremi, who is the only Iranian player to score more than one goal in the World Cup, returns for his third tournament. Ali Gholizadeh, who played in all three matches of the 2022 World Cup and got an assist, will miss this competition after injuring his knee just a month ahead of kickoff. Iran will be playing amid controversy as there are ongoing tensions between the country and the United States, which is one of three host nations for the tournament.

Key players: Mehdi Taremi, Mohammad Mohebbi, Mehdi Ghayedi

Belgium

Belgium will be playing in their fourth straight World Cup and 15th competition overall. The Red Devils will be seeking redemption after not making it out of the group stage at the 2022 World Cup. This came after a third-place finish at the 2018 tournament. Manager Rudi Garcia was introduced in January of 2025 to bring some fresh leadership and the team seems to be responding well. The squad is stacked with veterans. Napoli teammates Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, the side's all-time leading scorer, along with Axel Witsel and Thibaut Courtois, who some consider the best goalkeeper in the tournament, were teammates in the past three World Cups. While some might say this group is aging past their prime, Manchester City forward Jérémy Doku, 24, will offer youth and a winning mentality as well.

Key players: Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku

World Cup Group G schedule

June 15

Belgium vs. Egypt - Seattle, 3 p.m. ET - FOX

New Zealand vs. Iran - Los Angeles, 9 p.m. ET - FS1

June 21

Belgium vs. Iran - Los Angeles, 3 p.m. ET - FS1

New Zealand vs. Egypt - Vancouver, 9 p.m. ET - FS1

June 26

Belgium vs. New Zealand - Vancouver, 11 p.m. ET - FOX

Egypt vs. Iran - Seattle, 11 p.m. ET - FS1

World Cup Group G prediction

Predicted order of finish:

Belgium

Egypt

Iran

New Zealand

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup Group G predictions: Belgium, New Zealand, Egypt, Iran schedule

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