Belgium came into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of Europe’s more respected sides. Two matches in, they have two draws and a growing sense of anxiety among supporters who expected considerably more.
On June 26, 2026, Belgium faces New Zealand in a Group G match at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, with kickoff set for 20:00 local time. For Belgium, this is as close to a must-win as it gets.
Where things stand in Group G
The group table heading into this match tells a tense story. Egypt leads with 4 points, while Iran and Belgium are both sitting on 2 points. New Zealand trails with 1 point and a goal difference of minus-2.
Belgium’s two draws have left them in a precarious position, needing a win to give themselves a realistic shot at advancing. A draw would likely be fatal to their chances, depending on the other result in the group.
