Belgium and Egypt secured their places in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup on Friday, while Iran provisionally moved on as one of the best third-place teams. Unfortunately, New Zealand was eliminated following the conclusive matches in Group G.
The final day's matches took place simultaneously. Belgium achieved a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver, whereas Egypt and Iran played to a 1-1 draw at Lumen Field in Seattle.
Belgium topped the group with five points and a goal difference of +4, followed by Egypt, also with five points but a goal difference of +2. Iran finished third with three points and a neutral goal difference. New Zealand ended last with just one point and a -6 goal difference.
The decisive factor for Belgium's first-place finish was their resounding victory over New Zealand, which allowed the Red Devils to surpass Egypt in goal difference and claim the group lead. Belgium dominated the match with an impressive 26 shots, a stark contrast to their previous draws against both Egypt (1-1) and Iran (0-0).
The match between Egypt and Iran was the most intense of the day. Mahmoud Saber scored for the Egyptians in the fifth minute, only for Ramin Rezaeian to equalize for Iran six minutes later. In stoppage time, Shoja Khalilzadeh appeared to score the winning goal for Iran, but it was disallowed by VAR in the 93rd minute, keeping the score level. Mehdi Taremi also missed a penalty during the game.
Egypt's journey through the group stage included a historic milestone: their 3-1 victory over New Zealand in the second match marked the first World Cup win in the history of the Egyptian national team.
While Iran remained undefeated in the group, they also failed to secure a win, drawing all three matches. Their three points could be enough to progress as one of the tournament's top eight third-place teams, depending on outcomes in other groups.
Group G was uniquely competitive, with all four teams having a mathematical chance of advancing going into the final matches. This made the doubleheader one of the most open and exciting in the group stage.
As for the Round of 32 matchups, Belgium and Egypt's opponents are yet to be determined, as the complete bracket depends on the results of other groups that have not yet concluded their group stages.
2026 World Cup Group G Insights
How did Belgium manage to top Group G?
Belgium secured the top spot in Group G by defeating New Zealand with a significant 5-1 victory, which improved their goal difference to +4, surpassing Egypt.
What was significant about Egypt's performance in the group stage?
Egypt achieved their first-ever World Cup victory by defeating New Zealand 3-1, marking a historic moment for the national team.
Can Iran still advance in the tournament?
Yes, Iran can still advance as one of the best third-place teams, though it depends on the outcomes of other groups' matches.