Group G at the 2026 World Cup includes Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. The tournament field is divided into 12 groups of four teams each, according to ESPN.
Belgium enter the tournament as De Rode Duivels, ranked ninth by FIFA and making their 15th World Cup appearance. Their active streak stretches back to 2014, marking four consecutive tournaments. Belgium’s best result remains third place in 2018; their overall World Cup record is listed as 21 wins, 11 draws and 20 losses, with Marc Wilmots and Romelu Lukaku tied as the nation’s top scorers on five goals. Lukaku scored four in a single tournament in 2018. The squad also registers notable age marks, including oldest scorer Leo Clijsters (33 years, 223 days in 1990) and youngest scorer Divock Origi (19 years, 65 days in 2014). The side followed its 2018 semifinal run by being eliminated in the group stage in 2022.
Egypt, known as the Pharaohs and ranked 29th, return for a fourth World Cup appearance (1934, 1990, 2018, 2026). Their best finish is recorded as a Round of 16 appearance in 1934, and their cumulative tournament record is 0-3-5. Abdel Rahman Fawzi and Mohamed Salah are tied as Egypt’s top scorers with two goals each; Fawzi was also the youngest to score for the nation in the World Cup era (1934 vs. Hungary). Egypt will travel the least of any team in the 2026 group stage, covering 238 miles.
Iran, nicknamed Team Melli and ranked 20th, appear for a seventh time and for the fourth straight tournament (2014-2026). Their best World Cup finishes are listed as group-stage exits across multiple editions. Iran’s overall record is 3-5-11; Mehdi Taremi is noted as the nation’s top scorer with two goals, including two at the 2022 tournament. Ramin Rezaeian became Iran’s oldest World Cup scorer at 36 years, 86 days in 2026, and Mehdi Mahdaviki is noted as the youngest scorer (1998). At the 2022 World Cup, Iran scored three goals in the 90th minute or later during the group stage, becoming the third team to do so at a single men’s tournament.
New Zealand, the All Whites, are ranked 85th and making their third World Cup appearance (1982, 2010, 2026). Their best results are group-stage finishes in 1982 and 2010; their record is 0-4-3. Elijah Just is listed as New Zealand’s top scorer with two goals, including two against Iran in 2026. Shane Smeltz and Winston Reid are recorded as the nation’s oldest and youngest World Cup scorers, respectively. New Zealand is among four countries with a 100 percent win rate in their 2026 World Cup qualifying matches. For more coverage, see the ESPN World Cup hub for news, stats and scores.
