Belgium and New Zealand will both be hoping to book their places in the 2026 World Cup knockout stages when they face off on Saturday at 4am (UK time).
Many expected Belgium to seal top spot in Group G with little issue, but they’re in danger of being knocked out. The Red Devils go into the final round of fixtures in third, with two points from their two games. They had to come from a goal down to secure a draw against Egypt in their opening game, and even that needed an own goal. Belgium were then held to a goalless draw to Iran, who sit above them in the table on goals scored. A win should be enough to seal a spot in the knockout stages, but things are complicated in terms of where Belgium could finish.
New Zealand are bottom of the table but still have just as much chance of creating the knockout stages. The All Whites were in a good position to take a win in their opening games, but twice lost a lead and had to settle for a draw against Iran. They were then beaten 3-1 by Egypt, meaning New Zealand cannot finish top of the group. If New Zealand beat Belgium, they’ll also need Iran to drop points against Egypt to finish second. A win should be enough to seal one of the best third-placed spots either way.
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.
New Zealand vs Belgium team news
New Zealand team news
Darren Bazeley named the same starting lineups for both of New Zealand’s games so far. And there’s a good chance of New Zealand remaining unchanged once more, going all-out for the victory. Chris Wood will continue to lead the line as captain, still waiting for his first goal of the tournament. Elijah Just is New Zealand’s top scorer on two goals, and should start on the left, with Callum McCowatt on the right.
Sarpreet Singh will continue as the No.10, playing the supporting role behind Wood. The double pivot of Joe Bell and Marko Stamenic should continue, with the likes of Ryan Thomas, Alex Rufer and Lachlan Bayliss watching on.
Bazeley did change both of his full-backs midway through the defeat to Egypt, but that was more for freshness in the game as opposed to a sign of things to come. So Liberato Cacace and Tim Payne are likely to continue at left-back and right-back, respectively. Finn Surman and Michael Boxall are the centre-back pairing, with Max Crocombe in goal.
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.
Belgium team news
Rudi Garcia will have to make a change to his defence for this game. Nathan Ngoy was sent off in the draw with Iran and is suspended. Arthur Theate is expected to come in to replace him, having been brought on to shore up the defence last time out. Timothy Castagne will also be hoping for a recall, having been replaced at left-back by Maxim De Cuyper. But Garcia may not want to make two changes to his back line. Both De Cuyper and Castagne are on yellow cards.
There is also a doubt about the attack. Jeremy Doku missed the last game, having flown to England to witness the birth of his first child. He will link up with the Belgium squad in time for this game, and should go straight back into the front line. Leandro Trossard should then switch over to the right, with Romelu Lukaku leading the line.
Amadou Onana should also return to the team, having sat out of the last game. He was replaced in the midfield by Nicolas Raskin, but should linkup with clubmate Youri Tielemans once more. Kevin De Bruyne is expected to continue at No.10, even after a slow tournament so far.
New Zealand vs Belgium predicted lineups
New Zealand (4-2-3-1): Crocombe; Payne, Surman, Boxall, Cacace; Stamenic, Bell; McCowatt, Singh, Just; Wood.
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Meunier, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Onana; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; Lukaku.
Read more: