Group G Preview: Belgium, Egypt, Iran & New Zealand — De Bruyne vs Salah

Group G is where two completely different kinds of stars share a pitch: Kevin De Bruyne threading passes through a Belgian engine built for one last deep run, and Mohamed Salah carrying Egypt the way only a handful of players on Earth can.

On paper Belgium arrive with a squad worth roughly €850 million (FIFA top-five territory). Egypt's number is smaller — but Salah alone can make a Tuesday in Seattle feel like Anfield on a European night.

The four — and who you're really watching

Belgium's "golden generation" label is worn thin, but De Bruyne at full health still bends games. Behind him you still get names fans recognize — Romelu Lukaku as a target, Thibaut Courtois when fit — even if this World Cup feels like a closing chapter more than a coronation.

Egypt do not pretend to be deep. They pretend Salah gets the ball in space — and then physics gets optional. Mo at 34 is still the reason neutral fans buy a second screen.

Iran? Organized, stubborn, Asian Cup pedigree. Azmoun runs channels; Taremi finishes with a shrug. They will not beat you on Instagram followers; they might beat you on one cold counter.

New Zealand are the Oceania flag — limited budget, unlimited noise in the stands. Wood wins headers; the rest run until lungs burn. Perfect spoiler energy in a 48-team world where third place still matters.

The match that sells tickets: Belgium vs Egypt

**Match 16 — Belgium vs Egypt at Lumen Field, Seattle** is the glamour tie.

Picture it: De Bruyne looking up, Salah already leaning forward, 60,000 wondering whether this is a football match or a highlight reel waiting to happen. Egypt's plan is never mysterious — protect, spring, feed Mo. Belgium's plan is to make the pitch too wide for that to work.

If you only watch one Group G game, make it this one.

Other dates to circle

• **Iran vs New Zealand (Match 15)** — SoFi Stadium, LA. Iran's control vs Wood's headers; upset weather if the All Whites nick a point.
• Belgium vs Iran — tactical chess after the opening noise.
• Egypt vs New Zealand — Salah vs a team that loves being underestimated.

Filter every kickoff on our **schedule** (Group G, ET / PT / Beijing).

Who gets out?

Top two qualify; eight best third-place teams also advance (48-team format).

Most brackets pencil Belgium first if De Bruyne plays — then a knife fight between Egypt (Salah chaos) and Iran (structure). New Zealand live for stealing one result and praying the math.

Do not write off Egypt because the squad value is lower. Salah has made a career of making expensive defences look silly.

Go deeper

• Belgium team hub · Egypt · IR Iran · New Zealand
• 16 stadiums guide — Lumen & SoFi
• Bracket simulator

Unofficial fan guide — squad values editorial estimates, not FIFA data.