World Cup 2026 Group G Preview: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group G pairs Belgium (FIFA No. 8) with Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand across Seattle, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, June 15–26, 2026. Full fixtures, venues, and the one eSIM that covers all three West Coast cities.
Published June 9, 2026·5 min read
Summary
World Cup 2026 Group G is Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand — Belgium (FIFA No. 8) as clear favourites and the only side ranked inside the top 30, Egypt led by Mohamed Salah, an experienced Iran at a seventh World Cup, and New Zealand back for the first time since 2010. All six matches are on the West Coast across Seattle, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, June 15–26. Here's the full schedule, the venues, and the one eSIM that follows you across both countries.
The four teams in Group G
Belgium arrive as the group's top seed, ranked eighth in the world and fresh off a 15th World Cup appearance, with a best finish of third place in 2018. Egypt reach a fourth World Cup (first since 2018) behind talisman Mohamed Salah, while Iran— ranked 20th and among the first nations to qualify, in March 2025 — make a seventh appearance. New Zealand, the OFC winners, return to the World Cup for the first time since their unbeaten 2010 group campaign. Read our deep dives on Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand.
Group G full schedule (all times ET)
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Mon Jun 15, 3 p.m. | Belgium vs. Egypt | Lumen Field (Seattle) |
| Mon Jun 15, 9 p.m. | Iran vs. New Zealand | SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles) |
| Sun Jun 21, 3 p.m. | Belgium vs. Iran | SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles) |
| Sun Jun 21, 9 p.m. | New Zealand vs. Egypt | BC Place (Vancouver) |
| Fri Jun 26, 11 p.m. | Egypt vs. Iran | Lumen Field (Seattle) |
| Fri Jun 26, 11 p.m. | New Zealand vs. Belgium | BC Place (Vancouver) |
Dates, kick-off times, and venues above follow the published Group G schedule and FIFA's official fixtures (confirm exact local times before you travel). Each venue already has a yonosim city guide — jump to Seattle, Los Angeles, or Vancouver.
How Group G could shake out
Belgium are favourites to top the group as the only side ranked inside the world's top 30, but the race for second is genuinely open. Egypt and Iran both bring World Cup pedigree, and with the expanded 48-team format the top two plus the eight best third-placed teamsadvance to the Round of 32 — so even New Zealand can target a knockout berth with a couple of results. Watch the June 21 Belgium–Iran meeting at SoFi Stadium: it may decide who joins the favourites in the next round.
eSIM vs roaming vs pocket Wi-Fi for World Cup travel
| Option | Cost | Setup time | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM | Low | ~5 min (pre-install on Wi-Fi) | Excellent (local carrier) |
| Carrier roaming | High | Instant (already enabled) | Medium (partner-dependent) |
| Pocket Wi-Fi | Medium | Airport pickup / rental | Good (extra device to charge) |
Following Group G means crossing between the US and Canada — mobile tickets in the FIFA World Cup 26™ app, transit maps, and rideshare all run on data, and stadium Wi-Fi buckles under 60,000-plus people. A North America eSIM gets you onto a local carrier the moment you land and follows you from Seattle to Los Angeles to Vancouver on one plan, with no border-crossing surcharge. From US$5 with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or card.
FAQ
QWhich teams are in World Cup 2026 Group G?
AGroup G is Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. Belgium are the top seed at FIFA No. 8 and finished third in 2018; Egypt return for a fourth World Cup, Iran for a seventh, and New Zealand for a third, their first since 2010.
QWhere are the Group G matches played?
AAll six matches are on the West Coast: Lumen Field (Seattle) and SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles) in the US, plus BC Place in Vancouver, Canada. Fans following the group cross the US–Canada border at least once.
QWhen does Group G start at the World Cup 2026?
AMonday, June 15, 2026 — Belgium vs. Egypt at Lumen Field (3 p.m. ET) and Iran vs. New Zealand at SoFi Stadium (9 p.m. ET). The group concludes June 26 with Egypt vs. Iran and New Zealand vs. Belgium.
QWill one eSIM cover every Group G host city?
AYes — a single North America eSIM covers the US and Canada (plus Mexico) on one plan. You stay online from Seattle to Los Angeles to Vancouver with no plan-swapping. Plans start around US$5.
Bottom line
Group G is a West Coast group: four teams, three cities, two countries, and a wide-open fight for second behind Belgium. Pick your matches, read the team fan guides, and grab a World Cup 2026 eSIM so every ticket scan, map, and rideshare just works across both the US and Canada.