New Zealand vs Belgium Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
New Zealand do still stand a chance of making it into the knockout stages of FIFA World Cup 2026 as they take on an underperforming Belgium side in Vancouver.
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
New Zealand preview: Fun but limited
New Zealand come into this one on the back of a 3-1 loss to Egypt in their most recent outing last week. The All Whites had a half-time lead, courtesy of defender Finn Surman, before Mostafa Ziko, Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet turned the game on its head in favour of the Egyptians.
The New Zealanders had begun their campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw against IR Iran in an encounter in which they took the lead twice via Elijah Just but were pegged back by the Iranians, leaving them needing a victory to qualify in their final game in Group G against Belgium.
Belgium preview: Underperforming Belgians
Rudi Garcia has overseen a topsy-turvy 18 months or so as Belgium boss and they have again underwhelmed at a major tournament this summer, drawn into a relatively soft group and remaining winless with none of their players having scored a goal as of yet.
Their opening game saw them share a 1-1 draw with Egypt in Seattle, coming from a goal down courtesy of a Mohamed Hany own goal. Nathan Ngoy was then sent off mid-way through the second half as they were held to a frustrating goalless draw with IR Iran in Los Angeles.
New Zealand team news: Old come come in
Darren Bazeley went with an unchanged side against Egypt with New Zealand appearing to have a fully-fit and available squad after the late withdrawal of Peterborough United midfielder Matthew Garbett before their opening game.
There is a chance that Saint-Etienne attacker Ben Old comes in for Callum McCowatt against the Belgians, while Tyler Bindon has underwhelmed in his substitute appearances thus far.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Crocombe; Payne, Surman, Boxall, Cacace; Bell, Stamenic; Old, Singh, Just; Wood
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Belgium team news: Doku back but cannot play full game
Jeremy Doku missed out on the game with IR Iran due to an infection, officially, amid reports he would fly back to Belgium for the birth of his first child, but the Manchester City winger is back for this one. However, Rudi Garcia has said both he and Romelu Lukaku cannot play the full 90 minutes but, given the need to win, they may well both start - and have to come off.
Nathan Ngoy is now missing through suspension after his red card against the Iranians and the ideal replacement for him, Sporting CP's Zeno Debast, remains a major injury doubt.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Meunier, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper; Onana, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; Lukaku
Unavailable: Ngoy (Suspended)
Questionable: Debast (Injured)
New Zealand’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Tim Payne ($3.6m) – Defender
Elijah Just ($4.2m) – Midfielder
Chris Wood ($6.5m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Elijah Just
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Chris Wood
Free kicks: Sarpreet Singh
Corners: Tim Payne
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 3 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
Key stats
- This is the first meeting between New Zealand and Belgium.
- New Zealand are seeking their first World Cup victory (D4 L4).
- New Zealand have never qualified for the knockout rounds of the World Cup. The only time an OFC representative has made it further than the group stage was Australia in 2006 (prior to their switch to the AFC).
- This is Belgium’s first World Cup encounter against an OFC team.
- Belgium have lost only one of their last 17 group stage matches at the FIFA World Cup (W8 D8).
- Belgium are unbeaten in their last 15 international matches (W9 D6) since a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League in March 2025.
- Thibaut Courtois is set to make his 18th FIFA World Cup appearance, breaking the Belgian record of 17 that he currently shares with Enzo Scifo. Kevin De Bruyne could move into joint-third place on 16 appearances alongside Jan Ceulemans.
- Belgium are aiming to qualify for the knockout phase for the seventh time in their last nine FIFA World Cup participations.
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New Zealand vs Belgium prediction
New Zealand were expected to be fairly defensive-minded this summer but English coach Darren Bazeley has instead made them more proactive with some adventurous team selections, and that has aided them to being in winning positions against both IR Iran and Egypt.
They may well try and get at a Belgium side that have managed to avoid defeat primarily due to the limited attacking intent and quality of their opposition, rather than themselves being tight and difficult to play against.
The Red Devils have to remain favourites to eventually get through Group G but New Zealand, in a do-or-die clash, will throw everything they can at the Belgians.
New Zealand vs Belgium betting tip: Belgium to win & both teams to score
