INGLEWOOD, CA — Group G of the 2026 World Cup remains up for grabs, and it will be Belgium and Iran facing off on Sunday, June 21 to try to position themselves to make the knockout round.All four teams in the group tied their opening match of the tournament, a result neither team was completely satisfied with. Belgium is the group favorite, so the pressure is on to get a win, while Iran does have realistic expectations to make it to the Round of 32.The match will also mark Iran's return to the U.S. after playing its first game in Los Angeles, as the team navigates the political turmoil with the nation and the U.S.USA TODAY Sports will provide ongoing live updates of the Spain vs. Saudi Arabia World Cup match on Sunday, June 21.:How to watch Belgium vs IranThe game is airing on FS1, but you can also watch on Fubo or the Fox One App. Spanish language broadcasts are available on Telemundo and Peacock.21' Belgium controlling possessionIt's been plenty of Belgium offense so far in the match, with the Red Devils owning 73% of possession so far, with 135 completed passes compared to Iran's 39. While Belgium has been controlling it, the defense has gotten some solid counters from Iran.14' Iran nearly scoresThe Iran offense has shown signs of life, and nearly scored on its first chance. Hossein Kanani had a clear shot in the middle of the box that Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is just able to get a hand on it.12' Belgium attacking earlyBelgium has pressed on the gas pedal from the jump with several shot attempts that has Iran frantic. The Red Devils have gotten into the box several times already, and have had good looks that Iran defenders have been able to knock away.Maxin De Cuyper has had the best look so far. The ball bounced to him and he got a shot on goal that went directly into the hands of Alireza Beiranvand.3' Iran goalkeeper hurt, Belgium gets yellow cardWell this is a suboptimal start for Romelu Lukaku's return to the starting lineup. Belgium's all-time leading scorer was issued a yellow card in the 3rd minute after he kneed Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand in the neck. The foul was inadvertent; Lukaku was trying to latch onto a shot by Kevin De Bruyne in front of the goal when he collided with Beiranvand. Lukaku initially hit Beiranvand in the chest, but the force of that collision forced his knee up and into Beiranvand's neck. Beiranvand was down for about two minutes before getting back. He has stayed in the game. Romelu Lukaku yellow card ramificationsWith Jeremy Doku's return uncertain, this yellow card could loom large for Belgium. Cards are not wiped out until after the group stage ends, and Belgium's group-stage finale against New Zealand might well determine the winner of Group G. All four teams are currently tied after playing to draws in the first game.Belgium vs. Iran kicks offBelgium opens the match with possession.Watch every World Cup game with FuboWhat time does Belgium vs Iran start?The matchup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT.Where is Belgium vs Iran game?The Group G match is being held at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, Group G.Belgium vs Iran expert predictionsSeth Vertelney: Belgium 1-1 IranIran performed well against New Zealand but this Belgium side is a step up in competition, even though it didn't look like the group favorite against Egypt.Jon Arnold: Belgium 2-0 IranBelgium has plenty of talent in attack, but it didn't look to be working together well. Meanwhile, Iran had things clicking at the end. Why not believe in a shock result?Jesse Yomtov: Belgium 2-1 IranThe Belgians are going to have a hard time breaking down Iran, but they should be able to secure three points at SoFi Stadium.Victoria Hernandez: Belgium 2-0 IranIran had a draw against one of the weaker teams in the tournament, New Zealand. Belgium is simply the stronger side and will assert themselves here.Belgium vs Iran live oddsBelgium lineup todayThibaut Courtois (goalkeeper), Brandon Mechele, Maxin De Cuyper, Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Romelu Lukaku, Leandro Trossard, Thomas Meunier, Alexis Saelemakers, Nicolas Raskin, Nathan Ngoy.Full rosters for 2026 World Cup teamsWhy Belgium will be missing Jérémy DokuThe Red Devils will have to achieve that goal without one of their top attacking players, Jérémy Doku.Belgium announced Doku will miss its upcoming match with Iran due to an illness. Red Devils coach Rudi Garcia said he learned the night of Friday, June 19, that Doku would not be able to play.Doku has scored seven goals to date across 44 appearances for his country. He was held scoreless in his first match of the 2026 World Cup and is still searching for his first goal on the world's biggest stage.Iran lineup todayAlireza Beiranvand (goalkeeper), Saleh Hardani, Ehsan Hajisafi, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Saeid Ezatolahi, Mohannad Mohebbi, Mehdi Taremi, Hossein Kanani, Saman Ghoddos, Ali Nemati, Ramin Rezaeian.Group G standingsHere's how the Group G standings look after one match has been played (goal differential in parentheses):New Zealand 0-1-0 (0) – 1 pointIran 0-1-0 (0) – 1 pointBelgium 0-1-0 (0) – 1 pointEgypt 0-1-0 (0) – 1 pointsBelgium FIFA rankingBelgium is ranked 10th in the FIFA world rankings.Iran FIFA rankingIran is ranked 22nd in the FIFA world rankings.IR Iran meaningIn FIFA, Iran is represented as IR Iran. It stands for Islamic Republic of Iran.Where is Sardar Azmoun? Why Iran's best player is not at World CupIran's head coach Amir Ghalenoei did not select Azmoun – the Iranian forward whose 57 goals in international competition rank third all-time among his countrymen – for the team."I am very sad," Azmoun said on Varzesh3’s online World Cup show, per Erfan Hoseiny. "I have many things to say, which I won't say for now."According to Reuters, Iranian media reported in March that Azmoun was "expelled from the national team for a perceived act ​of disloyalty to the government." The outlet reported that the central issue was an Instagram post Azmoun shared in January that showed him shaking hands with Sheikh Mohammed bin ​Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates. The veteran forward has since deleted the post.World Cup standingsExplore live group standings, stats and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.