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Football fans and bettors are putting the finishing touches to their FIFA World Cup 2026 predictions. You can bet on the outright winner in the United States following July’s final. Those looking for a different approach can predict a team to reach the final, call the Golden Boot winner or choose from over 200 markets on every match.
Scroll through the articles on Flashscore News, and you’ll find in-depth previews, guidance on creating a staking plan, information on how to find and use the stats, and much more. We have all this at your fingertips on the Flashscore app. The group winners will also be a big attraction for those looking to bet small and win big off a World Cup accumulator or multiple.
On this page, we shine the spotlight on Group G. The pool involves four teams, each with high hopes of a top-two finish and a spot in the knockout rounds. Will Belgium do as expected and finish in pole position? Perhaps you expect Egypt to pull off a massive upset by ending top of the pile. Will Iran and New Zealand pick up any points in their three starts?
Flashscore’s World Cup 2026 betting expert Frank Monkhouse investigates.
Group G at a glance
Belgium are the pre-competition favourites to win Group G.
Football betting traders expect Egypt to be the main danger.
The action begins on June 15th at Lumen Field, Seattle.
New Zealand will finish bottom of the pile, judging by the odds.
Belgium and Egypt make a strong Group G forecast.
Group winner and qualification
In this part of my in-depth World Cup Group G review, I show you which nations are expected to progress to the next round, and which teams should struggle.
Winner - Belgium finished on top of World Cup qualifying - Europe Group J. Stats of five wins and three draws ensured they finished two points clear of nearest rivals Wales.
Runner-up - If World Cup Group G follows the betting, Egypt will cross the finish line in second place, qualifying with a bit to spare. But could they challenge for pole position?
Dark Horse - Very few football fans expect Iran to collect the points needed to qualify for the Round of 32. Traders predict they’ll end in third place, and that looks a fair prediction.
Underdog - Delighted to have qualified for World Cup 2026, New Zealand will be out of their depth in a competitive Group G. They should finish in fourth place.
Experience, a talented squad, and a fantastic coaching team set Belgium apart from the others in Group G. Bookies expect the Belgians to make it to the quarter-finals or beyond, but they’ll want to hit the ground running.
Team-by-team breakdown
The betting traders have had their say, making Belgium their favourites to win the pool, and New Zealand the most likely to finish bottom. Here’s why.
Belgium
Rudi Garcia’s Belgium remain inside FIFA’s top-10, with the Red Devils currently ranked ninth in the world after previously spending years at number one. Unbeaten in qualifying, Belgium will aim for a strong Group G campaign as they look to erase the disappointment of their early exit at Qatar 2022, where off-field tensions overshadowed their football.
Garcia justified his squad selection by maintaining the core that performed during the qualifiers, while also rewarding players in strong club form. Youri Tielemans has been confirmed as captain, with experienced names such as Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Axel Witsel still forming the backbone of the team.
Belgium’s likely XI features Courtois in goal, Castagne and De Cuyper as full-backs, and a central defensive pairing of De Winter and Debast if the latter recovers in time. In midfield, Onana and Tielemans provide balance behind De Bruyne, while Doku and Trossard are expected to start out wide.
The biggest question mark comes in attack. Lukaku’s fitness and lack of minutes at Napoli raise doubts, with Charles De Ketelaere emerging as an alternative option through the middle. Lille striker Fernández-Pardo, one of the newest additions to the squad, could also provide depth from the bench.
One of the biggest surprises from the squad announcement was the omission of Loïs Openda after a difficult season at club level, while Romeo Lavia, Malick Fofana and Wout Faes also missed out.
You can back Belgium to win World Cup Group G at odds of 4/11 with bet365, and they should set the pace in the group with a matchday one victory over Egypt.
Strengths and weaknesses:
Belgium have an embarrassment of riches in attack.
A strong and energetic midfield allows them to set the pace.
Belgium boast vital competition experience.
A balanced set-up allows them to turn defence into attack quickly.
Their defence often struggles against fast and direct attackers.
Lukaku’s physical condition remains a concern heading into the tournament.
Egypt
Egypt arrive at the 2026 World Cup ranked 29th in the FIFA standings, although the Pharaohs were as high as ninth in the world back in 2010. Hossam Hassan’s side dominated their qualification campaign, finishing top of Group A with eight wins and two draws while conceding just twice.
The Egyptian coach has also added fresh faces to the squad, handing call-ups to three debutants: Mostafa Ziko, Aqtaya Abdallah and Hamza Abdelkarim, one of the brightest talents in Egyptian football who is currently developing in Barcelona’s U19 side. One notable absence is striker Mostafa Mohamed, whose omission came as a surprise.
As always, Mohamed Salah remains the focal point of the team and Egypt’s biggest attacking weapon. However, the Pharaohs are much more than a one-man side, with Hassan building a disciplined and defensively organised team capable of hurting opponents quickly on the counter-attack.
You can back Egypt to win Group G at odds of 9/2, and they could emerge as dangerous outsiders capable of challenging Belgium for top spot if they start the tournament strongly.
Strengths and weaknesses:
In Mohamed Salah, Egypt have one of the most respected forwards in football.
Egypt are organised and defensively strong.
Their counter-attacking style makes them dangerous against stronger opponents.
The squad has valuable experience in high-pressure matches.
It could be argued that Egypt are too reliant on Salah for goals.
Iran
Do Iran have any chance of winning this summer’s FIFA World Cup? Not according to experts, including betting traders and FIFA. They’re ranked 21st in the world.
At World Cup qualifying - Asia, Iran won seven, drew two, and lost just one. They scored 19 goals and conceded 8, finishing in pole position, just ahead of Uzbekistan.
Iran made it to another World Cup, but have never gone beyond the group stage. Will they change that in June? It’s possible, but I wouldn’t back them to finish above two strong names in Belgium and Egypt.
Few teams arrive at the World Cup surrounded by as much uncertainty away from the pitch as Iran. Logistical complications disrupted part of the preparation process, forcing the federation to adjust travel plans and training arrangements during the final weeks before the tournament.
Despite that noise, Iran's recent record remains impressive. Qualification was secured with relative comfort, extending a run that has turned Team Melli into one of Asia's most reliable international sides. Reaching the World Cup is no longer an exception for this generation; it has become the expectation.
The squad, however, suffered two significant blows before the tournament. Sardar Azmoun's absence removes one of the most recognisable figures in Iranian football, while the injury to Ali Gholizadeh deprives the team of creativity and unpredictability in wide areas. As a result, much of the attacking burden now shifts toward Mehdi Taremi.
Another factor worth monitoring is match fitness. Several domestic-based players arrive after an interruption to the local calendar, leaving the coaching staff with the challenge of ensuring the squad reaches competitive rhythm at the right time.
Iran have built their reputation on structure, discipline and collective organisation rather than individual stars. Those qualities helped them top their qualifying group and will once again be their greatest assets as they attempt to achieve something they have never managed before: survive the group stage of a World Cup.
Strengths and weaknesses:
Iran’s main strength is its defensive organisation and discipline.
Many of their best-worked goals are scored on the counter-attack.
Iran are strong and physical at set-pieces, including corners.
They are experienced, playing in their seventh World Cup.
Iran don’t have a creative player capable of turning games around.
New Zealand
New Zealand complete Group G as clear outsiders, with many expecting the All Whites to struggle against stronger opposition. Ranked 85th in the world, Darren Bazeley’s side are appearing at only their third World Cup and first since 2010, with Chris Wood once again carrying the hopes of the nation.
A lot has changed for New Zealand football over the last decade. The squad is no longer built around amateur players, with all members now competing in professional leagues across Australia and Europe. The growth of clubs such as Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC has also helped raise the level of the national team, even if there is still a significant gap between New Zealand and the world’s elite.
Bazeley has named a predictable 26-man squad without major surprises, trusting the core that secured qualification. Since booking their place at the World Cup, the All Whites have struggled in friendlies against stronger nations, although they impressed with victories over the Ivory Coast and a 4-1 win against Chile earlier this year.
New Zealand remain a difficult side to break down thanks to their organisation and physicality, while Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood is their clear star player. The experienced forward is both the nation’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, and the All Whites will rely heavily on his presence in attack if they are to spring a surprise.
You can back New Zealand at 20/1 with bet365 to win Group G, although most fans would already consider a point at the tournament a success.
Strengths and weaknesses:
New Zealand’s defensive discipline and structure are their biggest strengths.
The All Whites are physical and dangerous from set pieces.
Team unity and work ethic remain central to their identity.
Their counter-attacking style could trouble opponents in transition.
New Zealand still lack depth and creativity compared to stronger nations.
Key players to watch
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission-licensed sportsbooks featured on this page offer betting on a long list of markets. You can bet a team to win or bet on a player to perform well. The player prop bets are always popular at World Cups, especially in the early games.
Here are the most-used markets.
Golden Boot winner
Team top scorers
Most assists
Player of the tournament
Young player of the tournament
Check out these four names that will make a difference in Group G.
Nico Raskin: He’s not the most famous name in the squad, but Raskin is certainly one of the most important. The midfield dynamo is as strong in defence as he is going forward. He can tackle, score, assist, and help Belgium hurt teams on the counter-attack. A huge summer is expected from the man playing his club football at Rangers.
Mohamed Salah: A name and player that’s familiar to Premier League fans and everyone who loves football. The scorer will lead the line for Egypt, using his experience and skills to bag the goals needed to fire them into the knockout stages. Salah will be a popular choice in the World Cup Golden Boot betting and in the first goalscorer market in each group match.
Mehdi Taremi: Iran’s key striker is reliable in attack, and his experience means he’ll likely start every match in June. Chances will be few and far between, but Taremi can make them count. His positioning and goal-scoring have made him a success at major clubs, including Porto, Inter Milan, and Olympiacos. He’ll feature in several first scorer picks this summer.
Chris Wood: Another name that’s well-known with English football fans. Wood is New Zealand’s captain and record scorer. The 34-year-old will likely appear in his final World Cup, meaning the pressure is on to make an impact. Wood has scored for the likes of Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Burnley, Leeds United, and Leicester City in England.
Group dynamics
You can do all the research needed to make a well-informed bet on World Cup Group G, but it’ll mean nothing if you don’t respect the group dynamics.
There’s much more to consider than the best players and world rankings. You must factor in the weather, travel, schedule, injury news, officials, and the stadiums. More research equals more chances of winning.
World Cup Group G opens with Belgium v Egypt in Seattle. I expect the winner of that match will go on to top the group. Interestingly, these teams have met four times previously, with Egypt claiming three wins, including a 2-1 in 2022. Victory for the Pharaohs would place them in a commanding position.
Egypt play New Zealand on matchday two, and a strong win would boost their chances of playing knockout football. Their second outing of the competition will be a fantastic opportunity for Mohamed Salah and his side to score a few goals, build confidence, and bank an important three points.
All eyes will be on matchday three, when Egypt take on Iran in Seattle, while Belgium face New Zealand in Vancouver. I am confident that Group G will be decided on the final day, making for great entertainment.
Group G predictions
Having covered the teams and stats for Flashscore readers, I’ll now settle on my World Cup Group G predictions. Keep reading as I settle on my pick to win the pool, a team to qualify, and a forecast for those chasing bigger odds.
Egypt to win Group G @ 9/2 (bet365)
I know Belgium are the pre-competition betting favourites, but I feel Egypt represent great value. If the Pharaohs make a fast start, extending their head-to-head lead over Belgium by winning on matchday one, they’ll build from there.
We’re taking a bit of a gamble here, of course, but for your stake, you’re getting a strong team boasting one of the best strikers in the game. Back Mohamed Salah and his troops.
New Zealand to finish bottom @ 1/2 (bet365)
The All Whites deserve credit for securing a World Cup comeback, but I don’t expect them to pick up any points in June. They shouldn’t get anywhere near the prize places, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see New Zealand also lose to Iran. Fourth place offers fair odds.
When following this bet, the results of matches and the scorers aren’t important. If New Zealand are fourth after three starts, you’ll secure a return on your bet.
I’ll wrap things up with a bet at higher odds, taking a chance in the forecast betting market. Here, you must predict which nation will win World Cup Group G, and which will finish as the runner-up. The order must be exact to secure a profit on this bet.
As already mentioned, I make Egypt a decent bet to beat Belgium on matchday one, and that would clear the way for them to top the pool, with the Belgians qualifying as runner-up.
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Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.