Group G Matchday 2. Belgium after their matchday 1 BTTS draw with Egypt; Iran after their loss to New Zealand. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood hosts on a Sunday afternoon Pacific.
Why: Belgium's talent depth is significantly greater. De Bruyne, Lukaku, Doku, Tielemans all top-tier. Iran have Taremi but their squad depth is limited. Belgium need a win to keep top-of-group hopes alive after the matchday 1 draw.
Lukaku is Belgium's all-time top scorer with 89 international goals. His Napoli 2025-26 season produced 16 Serie A goals. Iran's centre-back pairing of Pouraliganji and Kanaani struggles with strength and the matchup is a clear Lukaku advantage. Anytime price 2.00.
Ezatolahi averages a yellow every 3-4 matches at international pace. Tasked with breaking up Belgium's De Bruyne-Doku transitions, the foul rate climbs. Anytime Card around 2.60.
The match is at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Soccer capacity 70,000.
SoFi hosts eight matches at the 2026 World Cup and will host the 2028 Olympics opening/closing ceremonies.
Belgium's Golden Generation (De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku, Courtois, Witsel) reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.
Rudi Garcia, the French coach, took over in January 2025.
Something cool: Captain Romelu Lukaku is Belgium's all-time top scorer with 89 international goals, 4 short of breaking the European record. The Belgium-Iran match could be the milestone moment.
Iran have qualified for seven World Cups and never advanced past the group stage.
Amir Ghalenoei took over from Carlos Queiroz in March 2024.
Something cool: Iran lost matchday 1 to New Zealand 0-1 in a stunning result. They need 4+ points from the remaining two matches to keep best-third hopes alive. Belgium and Egypt are both tough.
Tielemans took the Belgium armband from Hazard in 2024.
Plays for Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Captaining at his third World Cup as a player and first as captain.
Jahanbakhsh took the Iran captaincy in 2024.
Plays for KAA Gent in Belgium.
Captaining at his third World Cup.
Belgium drew matchday 1 with Egypt 1-1 (De Bruyne penalty, Salah goal).
Iran lost matchday 1 to New Zealand 0-1 (Wood penalty).
Based on each side's most recent friendly. Final XIs confirm one hour before kick-off; this page will update.
| Date | Match | Venue | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jun | Belgium vs Egypt | Seattle | Preview → |
| 16 Jun | Iran vs New Zealand | Inglewood | Preview → |
| 21 Jun | Belgium vs Iran | Inglewood | This page |
| 21 Jun | New Zealand vs Egypt | Vancouver | Preview → |
| 26 Jun | Egypt vs Iran | Seattle | Preview → |
| 26 Jun | New Zealand vs Belgium | Vancouver | Preview → |
All four teams, qualification scenarios and BetBot predictions: See full Group G overview →
Garcia's Belgium 4-3-3 with Tielemans deep, Onana as the box-to-box runner, De Bruyne as the playmaking ten, Lukaku up top.
Ghalenoei's Iran 4-3-3 with Ezatolahi deep, Ghoddos and Torabi in midfield, Taremi up top.
Belgium need a win to keep top hopes alive after MD1 draw. Iran need 4+ points from remaining 2 matches.
Sunday 21 June 2026 at 15:00 ET (21:00 CEST, 12:00 PT). SoFi Stadium, Inglewood.
Central midfielder Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), captain since 2024.
Right winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh (KAA Gent), captain since 2024.
Yes. He has 89 international goals; the European international record is around 93. A goal here would bring him closer to the milestone.
Very. After losing to New Zealand on matchday 1, Iran need 4+ points from Belgium and Egypt to keep best-third hopes alive.
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