Belgium struggled to make an impact against Iran on Sunday at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, resulting in a goalless draw that significantly hinders their path to the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup.
The Red Devils now find themselves with two consecutive draws in the group stage, still searching for a victory. On June 15, they had already drawn 1-1 with Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle, in a match where Belgium's only goal came via an own goal, and Emam Ashour equalized for the African team. Two games, two draws, and no wins for a squad that entered the tournament as the group favorites.
The match began poorly for Belgium as Romelu Lukaku received a yellow card just three minutes in, a caution that affected his play from the start. The striker, who has gone seven World Cup matches without scoring, was substituted in the 73rd minute without posing any threat to Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, further deepening the mystery surrounding the European team's offensive struggles.
One of the game's most controversial moments occurred in the 25th minute when Mehdi Taremi scored for Iran, only for the goal to be disallowed by VAR for offside, denying the Asian team a significant lead that would have severely impacted Belgium's chances.
The dynamics of the match shifted dramatically in the 66th minute when Belgium's Nathan Ngoy was shown a red card, leaving his team with ten players for the final stretch. Despite having the numerical advantage, Iran failed to capitalize, and the score remained unchanged. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made several crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
In an effort to change the game's course, the Belgian coach made a triple substitution in the 58th minute —introducing Castagne, Vanaken, and Lukebakio in place of Meunier, Raskin, and Saelemaekers— but none of these changes broke the deadlock. Kevin De Bruyne, another key player, also left the field in the 87th minute without having made a decisive impact.
The statistics starkly highlight Belgium's frustration: 71% possession, 20 shots —seven on target— compared to Iran's six shots, with just three on goal. A commanding performance on paper, but no results on the scoreboard. Iran, meanwhile, entered the match following a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opening game, with goals from Rezaeian and Mohebbi.
As the second round of matches concludes, Group G of the 2026 World Cup remains wide open. Iran leads with two points from two matches, followed by Belgium with the same points. New Zealand and Egypt each have one point, though they have played one less match, keeping all four teams' hopes alive.
The decisive round will take place on June 26: Belgium will face New Zealand at BC Place, while Iran will go up against Egypt at Lumen Field, with both matches kicking off at 11:00 PM Cuban time. The Belgians must win to secure their spot in the next round; any slip-up could cost them dearly in a tournament being held on their adopted home continent of America.
Key Questions About Belgium's World Cup 2026 Performance
What are Belgium's chances of advancing to the next round?
Belgium needs a win in their upcoming match against New Zealand to ensure advancement to the Round of 16. A loss or draw could see them eliminated, depending on the outcomes of other group matches.
Why has Romelu Lukaku struggled to score in this World Cup?
Romelu Lukaku has been unable to score in his last seven World Cup appearances, possibly due to tactical adjustments by opponents, early cautions affecting his play, or a lack of service from the midfield.
How did the red card affect Belgium's performance against Iran?
Nathan Ngoy's red card in the 66th minute left Belgium with ten players, forcing them to focus more on defense and limiting their attacking options, ultimately hindering their ability to score.