Belgium vs Egypt Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
In one of the weaker groups at FIFA World Cup 2026, Group G gets underway at Lumen Field in Seattle as the Belgians take on seven-time African champions Egypt.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Belgium preview: Improving Belgians
Rudi Garcia and Belgium were unconvincing in UEFA qualification in the autumn. The Red Devils tripped up a few times, with a 1-1 draw against Kazakhstan in November before finishing off against Liechtenstein by seven goals to nil.
The Belgians also began the calendar year of 2026 very well as they hammered one of the co-hosts, the United States, by five goals to two before then sharing a 1-1 draw with another of the co-hosts Mexico, a few days later.
Their turn around continued into their pre-tournament friendlies, too, as the Belgians produced an excellent performance to win 2-0 against Croatia before demolishing Tunisia, winning by five goals to nil against the North Africans last week.
Egypt preview: Solid Egyptians
Hossam Hassan and his Egypt side have returned to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2018, having missed out on Qatar. The Pharaohs have an experienced side but with limited quality outside of a few key stars, such as Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Salah.
In March, the Egyptians, albeit without Salah, began preparation for this summer very well as they hammered Saudi Arabia by four goals to nil a few months ago before then sharing a goalless draw with one of the pre-tournament favourites Spain.
In the immediate build-up in their pre-tournament friendlies, Egypt would have been further encouraged by a 1-0 defeat of Russia before a competitive performance in a 2-1 loss to Brazil.
Belgium team news: Doku fit but Debast out
Having limped out of a training session previously, Jeremy Doku has returned and is expected to be fully fit for Rudi Garcia's side. That is key because he is perhaps the most in-form player in their squad after finishinh the season extremely well at Manchester City.
Belgium do have another injury issue, though, with Sporting CP centre-back Zeno Debast unavailable. He suffered a leg injury in May and is expected to miss at least the opening couple of group stage matches for the Belgians.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Meunier, Mechele, Ngoy, Castagne; Onana, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; De Ketelaere
Unavailable: Debast (Injured)
Questionable:
Egypt team news: Fully fit
As was the case in their final friendly before the tournament against Brazil, it appears as though Egypt once again have a fully fit and available squad, at least that is the case at the time of writing.
Alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush in the final third, the big debate for Hossam Hassan is between former Aston Villa winger Trezeguet and Real Oviedo's Haissem Hassan for the other wing, with Trezeguet likely to get the nod.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Shobeir; Hany, Ibrahim, Fathy, Fatouh; Lasheen, Attia; Salah, Ziko, Trezeguet; Marmoush
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Belgium’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Thibaut Courtois ($4.9m) – Goalkeeper
Jeremy Doku ($7.5m) – Midfielder
Kevin De Bruyne ($7.5m) – Midfielder
Matchday 1 captain pick: Jeremy Doku
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Romelu Lukaku, Charles De Ketelaere, Kevin De Bruyne
Free kicks: Kevin De Bruyne
Corners: Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans
Egypt’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Mohamed Hany ($3.9m) – Defender
Mohamed Salah ($10.0m) – Midfielder
Omar Marmoush ($7.8m) – Forward
Matchday 1 captain pick: Mohamed Salah
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush
Free kicks: Mohamed Salah
Corners: Mohamed Salah
Key stats
- Belgium are regular participants at the FIFA World Cup, appearing for the 10th time in the last 12 editions and the 15th time overall.
- The Red Devils have twice reached the semi-finals of the global showpiece. They finished fourth in 1986 and recorded their best-ever showing in 2018 after overcoming England in the play-off for third place.
- Belgium have not lost their opening match in their last seven FIFA World Cup appearances (W5 D2). Their most recent opening‑match defeat was a 2-1 loss to Mexico in 1986.
- The 2026 finals is Egypt’s fourth FIFA World Cup, following their participations in 1934, 1990 and 2018.
- In their three previous instalments in 1934, 1990 and 2018, Egypt failed to advance past the opening round and are still seeking a first World Cup victory having drawn two and lost five of their seven matches.
- Debutants all the way back in 1934, Egypt were the first African nation to play in the global showpiece; the second team, Morocco, did not feature until 1970.
- Hossam Hassan is the first person to represent Egypt at the FIFA World Cup as both a player and a head coach, having appeared in all three of their matches at the 1990 finals.
- Thibaut Courtois sits third on Belgium’s all‑time list for FIFA World Cup matches played with 15. An appearance here would lift him to 16, moving him into joint‑second place alongside Jan Ceulemans, and leaving him just one behind the national record held by Enzo Scifo (17).
- At 37 years and 154 days, Axel Witsel could become the oldest player ever to appear for Belgium at a FIFA World Cup, surpassing Wilfried Van Moer, who was 37 years and 119 days when he faced Poland on 28 June 1982.
- Mohamed Salah celebrates his 34th birthday on the date of this match; no Egyptian player has made a FIFA World Cup appearance on their birthday previously.
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Belgium vs Egypt prediction
Egypt will believe they can keep things tight against pretty much any opposition at this tournament. With that in mind, they will play in a counter-attacking style that could be effective against a Belgium side that has a weaknesses in their back-line - outside of world class goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. It is expected to be a low-scoring encounter in Washington but Belgium do have to remain slight favourites. There is criticism being levelled at Egypt boss Hossam Hassan, though, and, in that fairly average mood, it may not provide the most energetic and aggressive performance, suiting a Belgian side that will want to control the game - and manage it for moving forward in what should be a hot summer.
Belgium vs Egypt betting tip: Belgium to win & under 3.5 goals
