Belgium will be looking to get their first win at the 2026 World Cup knockout stages when they face Iran on Sunday at 8pm (UK time).
The Red Devils had to come from a goal down to earn a point in their World Cup opener, drawing with Egypt. Even then, they required an own goal from Mohamed Hamy to get their point. It ended a run of three successive wins in World Cup openers, though Belgium remain in control of their group stage destiny — having fallen at the first hurdle four years ago.
Iran also started their World Cup campaign with a draw, though they will be more positive about it. They came from behind twice to sevure their 2-2 draw with New Zealand thanks to goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi. They’re still looking to get out of the group stage for the first time.
This will be the first-ever meeting between these two sides.
- Bet £10 get £30
- Excellent Football Betting Options
- Extensive Bet-Builder
- Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker
New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
Belgium vs Iran team news
Belgium team news
Rudi Garcia named as strong a starting lineup as he could against Egypt, for Belgium’s toughest game on paper. So he’s unlikely to make any changes. Romelu Lukaku came off the bench and immediately played a part in forcing Mohamed Hany’s own goal, but he’s not being rushed back to start after an injury layoff. So Charles De Ketelaere is likely to lead the line once more.
There’s a very Premier League look about the midfield, with four of the five currently in the league, and one a legend of the division. Kevin De Bruyne should continue in the No.10, still one of Belgium’s best creative options. He’ll be flanked by Leandro Trossard and Jeremy Doku, with Aston Villa duo Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans behind.
Nathan Ngoy and Brandon Mechele appear to have emerged as the first-choice centre-back paiting, ahead of Arthur Theate and Koni De Winter. Timothy Castagne will start on the left, with Thomas Meunier still going on the right. Thibaut Courtois remains the first-choice goalkeeper, despite Senne Lammens’ strong season.
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets with Bet365
Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...
- Open an account (here's a link)
- Make a qualifying deposit of between £5* and £10*
- Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.
- To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.
- Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled
- To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Iran team news
Amir Ghalenoei stuck with his favoured two-man strike force in Iran’s opening game against New Zealand, and there’s no reason to change that here. Mehdi Taremi was one of the strikers and he was joined by Shahriar Moghanlou, while Ali Alipour may rotate in for the latter. Alireza Jahanbakhsh remains on the bench after injury, and will hope to make his first appearance as a substitute.
In Jahanbakhsh’s absence, Mohammad Mohebi and Arya Yousefi will be the wingers, with the former scoring against New Zealand. Saman Ghoddos should remain in the No.10, with Saeed Ezatolahi the deeper holding midfielder.
Milad Mohammadi got the nod at left-back ahead of legend Ehsan Hajsafi, and he will once again against Belgium. Hajsafi will have to be careful when coming off the bench, after his yellow card last time out. Ramin Rezaeian will continue at right-back, fresh of his goal last time out. Shoja Khalilzadeh was joined by Ali Nemati at centre-back — the favoured dueo — with Alireza Beiranvand in goal.
Belgium vs Iran predicted lineups
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Meunier, Mechele, Ngoy, Castagne; Tielemans, Onana; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; De Ketelaere.
Iran (4-1-3-2): Beiranvand; Rezaeian, Khalilzadeh, Nemati, Mohammadi; Ezatolahi; Mohebi, Ghoddos, Yousefi; Moghanlou, Taremi.
Read more: