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- Live
- 56'M. Fernandez-Pardo on for J. Doku
- E. Just56'
- 50'L. Trossard
- J. Randall on for S. Singh46'
- B. Old on for R. Thomas46'
- M. Stamenić46'
- Half Time
- 28'L. Trossard
- 21'L. Trossard No penalty
- Kick Off
New Zealand face a daunting fixture when they take on a Belgium side that have to win in Group G at the 2026 World Cup on Saturday. Find our New Zealand vs Belgium predictions and best bets below.
Darren Bazeley’s side showed spirit in their opening games, drawing with Iran before losing 3-1 to Egypt. Belgium drew both their opening matches against Egypt and Iran. Kick-off is scheduled for 4am (UK time) on Saturday, 27th June.
New Zealand vs Belgium predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romelu Lukaku to score anytime | 8/11 @ Sky Bet (57.9%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Lukaku is Belgium’s all-time top scorer and carries immense physical presence. He struggled for sharpness early in the tournament but remains a massive threat. New Zealand’s defence looked vulnerable against Egypt and conceded three times. Against a side that must attack to survive, Lukaku will find space to exploit on the break. He is too powerful to ignore against this opposition. |
| Correct score – New Zealand 0-3 Belgium | 6/1 @ Betfred (14.3%) | ⭐⭐ | Belgium need a convincing victory to secure their knockout spot and boost their goal difference. New Zealand conceded three goals against Egypt and look defensively fragile. Rudi Garcia will demand a ruthless attacking display after two frustrating draws. Belgium’s attacking depth — De Bruyne, Lukaku, Trossard and Doku — makes a multi-goal win the most logical outcome. New Zealand’s inability to keep clean sheets makes a heavy defeat likely. |
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams head into New Zealand vs Belgium
New Zealand
New Zealand arrive in Vancouver carrying the weight of a difficult defeat. A 3-1 loss to Egypt left Darren Bazeley’s side needing a miracle to progress. Chris Wood provided two assists against Iran but struggled to impact the Egypt game.
The All Whites enter this fixture knowing only a victory keeps their knockout dreams alive. The talent at Bazeley’s disposal is limited compared to European heavyweights. Elijah Just scored twice against Iran and provides a genuine attacking threat. A core group of domestic and European-based players face their biggest test.
New Zealand emerged from the Egypt game without major new injuries. The pressure is entirely on their opponents. New Zealand need to demonstrate they can compete with elite opposition. Vancouver offers them the perfect stage to cause a historic upset.
Belgium
Belgium arrive in Vancouver on the back of two frustrating draws. A 0-0 stalemate with Iran leaves them needing a victory to guarantee their knockout spot. The Red Devils boast world-class talent, but Rudi Garcia demands more attacking cohesion. Kevin De Bruyne assisted Romelu Lukaku against Egypt, offering a glimpse of their potential. But Garcia’s side failed to break down a resolute Iranian defence. The step up in pressure is enormous as elimination looms. Their tournament form underlines their struggles. Two successive draws saw them score just one goal. Yet Garcia has an incredibly talented squad at his disposal. If Belgium click into gear, they carry an immense attacking threat. A point here leaves them vulnerable to elimination. A win secures their progression.
Belgium’s golden generation is long gone, but there’s still plenty of quality in this side. Can they make it count?
New Zealand team news
Darren Bazeley faces a huge task lifting his squad after the Egypt defeat. His side looked defensively exposed against quick attackers.
Bazeley faces selection questions across the squad. Marko Stamenic and Joe Bell push for starting berths in midfield. Chris Wood starts despite his recent knee issues.. Elijah Just, who scored twice against Iran, will look to keep his place out wide.
Belgium team news
Rudi Garcia faces a major dilemma in defence after a disastrous display against Iran. Nathan Ngoy received a straight red card and misses this crucial fixture. Arthur Theate or Timothy Castagne will likely replace him in the backline. Romelu Lukaku pushes for a start despite fitness concerns entering the tournament. Kevin De Bruyne captains the side and drives the midfield. Jeremy Doku provides crucial pace on the wing and will look to exploit space behind New Zealand’s fullbacks.
Head-to-Head
These two nations have never met in competitive international football. Saturday’s fixture in Vancouver represents their first official encounter. With New Zealand seeking their first-ever World Cup win, this match carries massive significance. This is a crucial test for both teams.
Can New Zealand overcome the might of Belgium?
Both nations enter Saturday’s fixture under immense pressure. A Belgium win secures their knockout spot and relieves the growing tension. A New Zealand victory would send shockwaves through Group G and rank among the biggest World Cup upsets.
We’re backing Romelu Lukaku to make his mark in Vancouver. You can get 8/11 with Sky Bet for Lukaku to score anytime. This represents strong value against a vulnerable New Zealand defence.
A 3-0 Belgium win at 6/1 with Betfred offers value. This reflects the expected margin of victory and New Zealand’s defensive struggles.
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