The biggest question about the 2026 World Cup Group G predictions is who will give Belgium the best game, and therefore likely move on to the Knockout Stage of the tournament? Egypt, Iran, and even New Zealand can all make a case, but which one (or ones) will be able to move past the Group Stage?
Belgium
The Belgium national team is the only one in this group with world-class pedigree, even if its star players in this “Golden Generation” are getting a little long in the tooth. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (34), defenders Timothy Castagne (30) and Thomas Munier (34), midfielders Kevin De Bruyne (34) and Axel Witsel (37), and forwards Romelu Lukaku (33) and Leandro Trossard (31) are all on the wrong side of 30.
This team does have some intriguing young talent, though, with Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku leading the way. Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper are also players to watch who could make their name for their national team and earn moves to bigger clubs with standout showings at the 2026 World Cup.
Belgium often seems to find ways to turn what seem like easy victories into defeats at the World Cup, and this iteration may be no exception. However, with the mix of veteran leadership and young talent, this team should cruise through Group G.
Egypyt
Outside of the famed stars on the Belgium squad, Mohamed Salah is, by far, the most recognizable star in Group G. The Liverpool forward had, by far, the worst season of his Premier League career in 2025-26, posting just 12 goals and 10 assists in all competitions after putting up 34 goals and 23 assists one season prior. With Egypt, Salah is still the star, though, and the team will count on him for goals.
Luckily, he has the best running mate he’s ever had with his national team in Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush. The 27-year-old striker doesn’t have gaudy numbers in England because he backs up Erling Haaland, but he can be a legit scorer for his national team.
Overall, look for Egypt to defend and play conservatively and rely on moments of brilliance from its two star scorers. If Salah and Marmoush can provide enough of those moments, Egypt can win games.
Iran
Iran was one of the first teams to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, coming out of the Asian Football Confederation region. However, world events and turmoil within the country make this team arguably the biggest wild card of the whole tournament.
Striker Mehdi Taremi is their star, having played at top clubs in Porto (Portugal), Inter Milan (Italy), and Olympiakos (Greece). They will be without former Roma (Italy) and Bayern Leverkusen (Germany) striker Sardar Azmoun, though, who was left off the squad for political reasons.
The Iranians are probably the second-most-talented team in Group G from top to bottom, but whether they are galvanized by the unrest at home or wilt under the pressure remains to be seen.
New Zealand
The All Whites are the lowest-ranked team in the 2026 World Cup (No. 85), but they are scrappy and have enough talent to make some noise if other teams in Group G falter.
Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood is their star, and before his midseason knee injury, he was one of the Premier League’s top goalscorers. Wood is now healthy, but regaining his top-class form is another issue entirely. New Zealand will go as far as Wood takes them in this tournament, and that could be to the Knockout Stage.
Group G World Cup predictions
So, our final Group G World Cup predictions start with Belgium cruising through the group and making the Knockout Stage as an undefeated group winner. There is just much more talent on that squad than any other.
After that, we have Iran coming in second and moving on in the tournament, and plucky New Zealand earning enough points as the third-place team to make it into the final 32 as well.
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