Unfortunately for New Zealand and overnight sensation Tim Payne, their World Cup campaign has ended after just racking up one out of nine points in the group stage. For the Kiwis, it was a lackluster tournament.

The standings mark that Egypt will fall to the runner-up spot of the group, with Belgium, 10th in the FIFA rankings, ending as Group G’s winner, saving face after a really underwhelming first two games, but dominating New Zealand. Now, they’re en route to the Round of 32.

Group G official standings in 2026 World Cup

With Belgium leading the way, Egypt will follow suit. Meanwhile, Iran will have to wait to see if they go to the Round of 32 as one of the best eight third places in the 2026 World Cup.

Who will Belgium and Egypt play in the Round of 32?

As it stands, and understanding this could change depending on the third-place wild cards, Belgiu will play South Korea. The game would be played at Seattle Stadium on July 1st.

As for Egypt, they will play another Oceania country in Australia on July 3rd at Dallas Stadium. As for now, if Iran manage to go through as one of the best-eight third places, Iran would play Switzerland on July 3 at BC Place in Vancouver.

Makhadmeh might lack extensive tournament experience, but he already got his feet wet at the 2026 World Cup during his debut in the Spain-Cape Verde match. That game ended in a shocking draw, and he kept a tight lid on things, issuing just two yellow cards.

Given his limited track record on the big stage, he will likely be extra cautious with how he handles the whistle during this Match 45 showdown. The stakes are incredibly high for Belgium and New Zealand, with every win, loss, and draw scenario creating massive drama, all while an inexperienced ref holds the whistle.

Adham Makhadmeh’s refereeing background

Known across the AFC and international circuits for his authoritative presence, Makhadmeh doesn’t hesitate to go to his pockets if players cross the line. He tends to penalize heavy, cynical challenges early to prevent matches from spiraling out of control.

Makhadmeh averages 3.77 yellow cards and just 0.08 red cards over his career. His last red card came in November 2025 during the Asian World Cup Qualifiers, a relatively straightforward match where he also handed out three yellows.

Having that international experience outside of the World Cup is crucial. It gives him the baseline needed to deal with national teams and managers, who tend to be far more passionate and vocal than domestic club teams.

Instead, Belgium are starting Charles De Ketelaere with Jeremy Doku returning to the lineup after missing the Iran fixture, while Leandro Trossard is once again starting as the other winger.

What happens against New Zealand tonight will determine Belgium’s future in the tournament, as the team aims to avoid another World Cup disappointment after Qatar 2022.

Lukaku’s 2026 World Cup games with Belgium

Lukaku didn’t start for Belgium against Egypt but made an impactful appearance in the second half, putting pressure on the opponents as his side was trailing 1-0. Shortly after he came off the bench, Belgium found the equalizer that sealed the 1-1 draw.

The former Chelsea striker then started against Iran but couldn’t find the net, with Belgium settling for a goalless draw that forces them to get a positive result against New Zealand in Vancouver tonight.

Match 64 will take place at BC Place, a venue slated to host both key group stage games and knockout stage fixtures. New Zealand is already familiar with the stadium, having previously dropped a match to Egypt here.

Belgium enters as the heavy favorite in what promises to be an electric atmosphere. The Red Devils want to advance from the group stage, but they need a win to do it. Fans can expect an environment that mirrors a big match night in Brussels.

City and stadium

Vancouver has already played host to some of the World Cup‘s most exciting moments, including a dominant 6-0 victory for the Canadian national team over Qatar. The city is also set to host matchups in both the Round of 32 and the Round of 16.

BC Place primarily hosts soccer and Canadian football, though it has also transitioned for basketball in the past. For the FIFA World Cup, the stadium’s capacity is set at 52,497.

Attendance and weather

Another sellout is expected at BC Place, following the trend of the tournament’s previous group stage matches in Vancouver. Both New Zealand and Belgium should prepare to play in front of a packed house.

The weather in Vancouver at kickoff will be partly cloudy with a comfortable temperature of 18°C. A gentle breeze will blow from the west at about 7 mph, keeping conditions very pleasant inside BC Place. With a 0% chance of rain, weather will not be a factor for this crucial final group stage match.

Belgium is ranked 10th in the world in the FIFA rankings right now. The Red Devils have 1727.88 points in the ranking. However, the two draws vs Egypt and Iran cost them massively, as they dropped a spot.

The two ties cost Belgium 14.36 points. Hence, Belgium is really close to leaving the top 10 of the ranking as Colombia follows very closely, only 0.46 points below the Red Devils.

Belgium needs to beat New Zealand to get to the next round of 2026 World Cup

There are plenty of scenarios to consider depending if Belgium win, tie, or lose to New Zealand. From going to the next round, to missing the KO phase altogether, hence Belgium can’t play with fire.

New Zealand’s ranking is also a moving factor since the beginning of this tournament. While beating the Kiwis will give some points to Belgium, it’s not a big swing, but it keeps them in the tournament.

Belgium vs New Zealand head-to-head history

There is no history between Belgium and New Zealand. Hence, the first establishment of their rivalry will come at the 2026 World Cup. Not only is it a big stage, but it’s high-stakes as both are looking to get through to the Round of 32.

How to watch New Zealand vs Belgium in the USA

Viewers in the United States can catch every moment of this marquee matchup live on FOX and Telemundo via standard television broadcasts.

Fans can also stream the game through Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Hulu + Live TV, or Peacock Premium. Be sure to tune in.

Can I watch New Zealand vs Belgium for free?

Fans in the United States can stream this must-watch showdown live on Fubo or DirecTV Stream. New eligible subscribers may receive a free five-day trial.

Both platforms provide nationwide live access, allowing fans to follow every key moment, crucial stretch, and decisive play from start to finish in real time.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Belgium as they head into a crucial group-stage clash. After back-to-back draws, Kevin De Bruyne and company are still in the race for qualification, but only a win will ease the pressure and keep their hopes on track.

New Zealand, meanwhile, is also fighting to stay alive after squandering a halftime lead in a 3-1 loss to Egypt. With just one point from two matches, Tim Payne and his teammates need a victory as well, making this a must-win showdown for both sides.

New Zealand vs Belgium: Predicted Lineups

New Zealand (4-2-3-1): Max Crocombe, Tim Payne, Tyler Surman, Michael Boxall, Liberato Cacace, Finn Bell, Marko Stamenic, Joe Just, Ben McCowatt, Sarpreet Singh, Chris Wood.

Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois, Thomas Meunier, Brandon Mechele, Arthur Theate, Maxim De Cuyper, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Jérémy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard, Romelu Lukaku.

What time is the New Zealand vs Belgium match?

The match kicks off today, June 26, at 11:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 11:00 PM
Central Time: 10:00 PM
Mountain Time: 9:00 PM
Pacific Time: 8:00 PM

Before the match, both teams are virtually eliminated from the Round of 32, but a win could propel them into staying for a few more days in the United States as a competing team in the tournament.

Belgium have tied both games against Egypt and Iran before. They haven’t been able to produce the goods offensively, and have shown key flaws on defense. Hence, they’ve been very underwhelming so far. New Zealand tied with Iran but were beaten by Egypt 2-0.

What happens if Belgium win vs New Zealand?

If Belgium beat New Zealand, Belgium will advance to the Round of 32 in the 2026 World Cup. A victory will boost them to five points, guaranteeing a top-two finish in Group G alongside Egypt, while New Zealand will be eliminated from the tournament.

However, their final position will depend on if Egypt win, tie, or lose to Iran. If Egypt draw with Iran, the first spot of the group will be decided by goal difference. Since Egypt and Belgium tied, the head-to-head tiebreaker doesn’t apply.

What happens if Belgium tie vs New Zealand?

If Belgium ties with New Zealand, they finish the group stage with three points (GD: 0). At that point, they are completely locked out of the top spot and their fate rests entirely on the Egypt vs. Iran match.

If Egypt beat Iran, Belgium go through as the group’s runner-up. In case Iran beat Egypt, Belgium are thrown into the high-stress wild-card pool, where they have to wait for all other groups to finish to see if three points and a 0 goal difference is enough to rank among the eight best third-place teams.

If Egypt and Iran tie, Belgium and Iran’s tiebreaker would be goals scored, as they would have a tie between them and the same goal difference. So, it’s up to the third tiebreaker to determine the final positions.

What happens if Belgium lose vs New Zealand?

If Belgium lose to New Zealand, it triggers a catastrophic scenario for them. They would finish the group stage with just two points, resulting in certain elimination from the World Cup.

It wouldn’t be enough to be in the first two spots, and with two points, there is no way Belgium can make it into the best third-place teams as there are already eight teams in that list with three points.

Group G standings ahead of 2026 World Cup Matchday 3

While the All Whites are not mathematically eliminated just yet, they find themselves staring up from the bottom of the Group G standings with a lone point through two matches. Meanwhile, Egypt’s clinical performance vaults them into sole possession of first place with four points.

Fortunately for New Zealand, a scoreless 0-0 draw between Belgium and Iran kept the door slightly ajar, leaving both of those squads tied at two points apiece. The result sets up a do-or-die final matchday where the All Whites must secure a victory against Belgium to keep their knockout stage dreams alive.

Egypt seize control of Group G

The victory officially catapults the Pharaohs to four points, putting them in the driver’s seat ahead of Belgium and Iran. Because the tournament’s primary tiebreaker prioritizes head-to-head results, Egypt now hold an irreversible mathematical advantage over New Zealand.

This means that even in a chaotic final-day scenario—where New Zealand upset Belgium to reach 4 points, and Iran beat Egypt to win the group with 5 points—the All Whites cannot finish ahead of Egypt. Despite being level on points in that scenario, Egypt would automatically claim second place due to the head-to-head tiebreaker, forcing New Zealand into third place and a nerve-wracking wait on the wild-card standings.

Upcoming fixtures and Group G standings

Drama will be at an all-time high for the group stage finale, which features simultaneous kickoffs as part of the tournament’s expanded six-game-per-day schedule. All eyes will be on both the live pitch and the out-of-town scoreboard as the best third-placed team tracker takes shape.

Matchday 3 schedule

New Zealand vs. Belgium | Saturday, June 27

Egypt vs. Iran | Saturday, June 27

Group G standings

Belgium had a bad affair and drew vs. Iran in a scoreless match. Hence, this game was massive for them. After all, Belgium came as the massive favorite to dominate Group G and haven’t won any of their two games.

As for Egypt, they are now in prime position to win Group G of the 2026 World Cup after beating New Zealand 3-1. The Kiwis now have a lot of pressure towards their last game.

Updated 2026 World Cup Group G standings

With Egypt’s win over New Zealand, all cards are on the table, as no team has secured a spot in the next round of the 2026 World Cup. Hence, the standings now are like this:

2026 World Cup Group G Matchday 3 games

Since all teams are still alive, there will be an added tension between Egypt, Iran, Belgium, and New Zealand. Due to this being the Matchday 3 where all is decided, all games will be played at the same time.

• June 26, 11 PM ET: New Zealand vs. Belgium – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
• June 26, 11 PM ET: Egypt vs. Iran – Seattle Stadium, Washington, USA

New Zealand began the tournament carrying the tag of the lowest-ranked nation among all competitors. However, the All Whites have already scaled the ladder, leaving Haiti with that basement status, as New Zealand now occupies the No. 83 spot in the global standings with 1,290.04 ranking points.

Despite not playing the most aesthetically pleasing brand of soccer—and qualifying as one of the beneficiaries of the tournament’s newly expanded format—New Zealand arrive trending thanks heavily to their breakout star, defender Tim Payne. A highly anticipated battle is expected on the pitch, with the officiating crew already confirmed for the match.

The FIFA ranking gap between New Zealand and Egypt

This Group G matchup presents a classic David vs Goliath narrative when looking at the global soccer hierarchy. Egypt enter the fixture as a firmly established top-30 side, sitting comfortably at No. 28 with 1,570.67 points after proving their tactical discipline against a powerhouse Belgian squad. In contrast, New Zealand sit significantly lower in the global standings at No. 83 with 1,290.04 points, representing a massive 55-spot gap and a 280.63-point difference in favor of the Pharaohs.

This newfound momentum sets up a fascinating clash against Egypt that relies on excellent team chemistry and a highly compact defensive block. The Pharaohs have already proven their top-30 status is the real deal, and they will look to use their significant experience advantage to break down the Kiwis.

Team outlook and recent form

New Zealand enter the contest fresh off a thrilling 2-2 draw against Iran. A spectacular brace from Elijah Just in that match has ignited the confidence of Darren Bazeley’s squad, which is pinning its hopes on the veteran leadership of captain Chris Wood and the defensive prowess of Tim Payne to pull off a historic result.

On the other side, Egypt come in following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Belgium. The African powerhouse relies completely on the world-class experience of their talisman, Mohamed Salah, alongside the creative spark of Omar Marmoush and the red-hot form of midfielder Emam Ashour, who found the back of the net in the opener.

The Pharaohs enter the fixture on a positive note after climbing the FIFA rankings, currently sitting at No. 28 with 1,570.67 points. Their hard-fought draw against a top-10 opponent provided a significant ratings boost, allowing them to make a noticeable jump in the global standings.

Egypt’s clinical performance could catch many by surprise, featuring a compact defensive block and excellent team chemistry that was fully on display against Belgium’s 1-1 draw. Now, they face a dangerous New Zealand side eager to pull off a group-stage upset despite holding a significantly lower position in the FIFA rankings.

The Group G chaos: A golden opportunity for Egypt

The scoreless 0-0 draw between Belgium and Iran at Lumen Field in Seattle has completely flipped the script for Group G. This unexpected result opens the door wide open for the winner of the Vancouver clash to emerge as the surprise group leader in the standings heading into the final stretch.

A victory would push either Egypt or New Zealand to 4 points, leapfrogging both Belgium and Iran, who currently sit at 2 points each. Rudi Garcia’s Belgian squad heavily struggled to find a breakthrough in Seattle, failing to score despite registering 15 total shots and five on target against a disciplined Iranian backline. Iran also proved to be a constant threat on the counter, even having a 24th-minute opener wiped off the board following a tight VAR offside review.

With the group hanging in the balance, the outcome of Egypt vs New Zealand will dictate the drama for the final matchday, where simultaneous kickoffs will decide automatic qualification and heavily impact the wild-card race for the best third-placed teams.

Matchday 3 Schedule

• New Zealand vs. Belgium | Saturday, June 27
• Egypt vs. Iran | Saturday, June 27