New Zealand
Belgium
Vancouver hosts the meeting nobody could have predicted would matter quite this much, with both New Zealand and Belgium needing a win to guarantee their place in the last 32. It's the first time these two nations have ever met. Belgium have stumbled to two draws despite plenty of underlying quality, while New Zealand let a 3-1 lead slip against Egypt and remain in search of a first-ever World Cup knockout appearance.
New Zealand — All Whites
Darren Bazeley named an unchanged side for the Egypt game and the lineup pencilled in here suggests he's prepared to go again with the same group: Max Crocombe in goal behind Tim Payne, Finn Surman, Michael Boxall and Liberato Cacace, with Marko Stamenic and Joe Bell screening in front. Callum McCowatt, Sarpreet Singh and Eli Just support Chris Wood, who's yet to score himself but set up both of Just's goals against Iran.
New Zealand have won just one of their last 13 matches across all competitions and haven't kept a clean sheet in over a year, since a weakened Ivory Coast side back in June 2025. Even so, victory here puts them through to a first-ever World Cup knockout round, a genuinely historic incentive for a side ranked as the lowest in the entire tournament.
Belgium — Red Devils
Jeremy Doku has rejoined the squad after travelling to London for the birth of his first child, though whether he's handed an immediate recall or eases back in behind Alexis Saelemaekers or Dodi Lukebakio remained a genuine doubt all week. The lineup pencilled in here goes with Doku starting outright, with Leandro Trossard swinging back to the right now that he's available. Arthur Theate deputises for the suspended Nathan Ngoy, and Timothy Castagne wins the recall at right-back ahead of Thomas Meunier.
Nicolas Raskin and Youri Tielemans screen in midfield, with Raskin continuing after a strong showing in for the out-of-form Amadou Onana. Kevin De Bruyne operates in his usual free role just ahead of them, supporting Romelu Lukaku alongside Doku and Trossard. Lukaku wasn't fully sharp in his last start either, with plenty of lost possession and stray passes, but the lineup pencilled in keeps faith with him again up top regardless. Belgium are unbeaten in 15 across all competitions since March 2025, a run their World Cup form has done little to reflect so far.
Predicted Lineups
Group G Permutations
Belgium win this fixture in 76.2% of Opta's simulations but only finish top of the group in 26.6% of them, needing a win and for Egypt to not beat Iran elsewhere. New Zealand qualify as runners-up with a win here provided Iran fail to beat Egypt. If both Belgium and Iran win their respective games, goals scored could end up deciding who finishes above whom. A draw here likely eliminates both New Zealand and, depending on the other result, possibly Belgium too.
Key Battle
Kevin De Bruyne vs New Zealand's midfield. Belgium's whole approach hinges on De Bruyne dictating from a central position, and Stamenic and Bell will need a disciplined, high-energy performance to deny him space. If they manage it, New Zealand have shown the attacking spark through Just and Wood to make this a real contest.
Prediction
Belgium's underlying quality should eventually tell against a New Zealand side that's struggled defensively all tournament, even accounting for how underwhelming the Red Devils have been so far. With qualification on the line, expect Belgium's class to show up when it matters most.
New Zealand 1–2 Belgium — Just — De Bruyne, Lukaku
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