If New Zealand are to extend their stay at FIFA World Cup 2026™ past the group stage, they must defeat Belgium in their final Group G fixture in Vancouver tomorrow.
The All Whites have collected one point from their two matches at the tournament thus far, drawing 2-2 with Iran in their opener, before falling 1-3 to Egypt, leaving them bottom of Group G heading into the final matchday.
A draw could mathematically still send New Zealand through to the knockout rounds for the first time, but would require Egypt to inflict a heavy defeat on Iran on the final matchday, and for a host of other results across the tournament to go their way. The only realistic path to the Round of 32 for them is to register their first FIFA World Cup win at the ninth time of asking.
Achieving that will be a monumental task against a Belgian side ranked 10th in the world though, 74 places above #84 ranked New Zealand. The All Whites would have to pull off one of the most remarkable results in New Zealand football history.
Nevertheless there is still a sense that coach Darren Bazeley and his playing group quietly harbour a degree of hope and belief that they can create headlines heading into the do-or-die clash.
Belgium’s FIFA World Cup Record
The Red Devils are appearing in their 15th World Cup, having made their debut at the very first edition of the tournament in 1930. Of those 14 previous campaigns, Belgium have progressed past the group stage on seven occasions, winning 21 of their 53 FIFA World Cup fixtures overall.
Their best finish was third at the 2018 edition in Russia, defeating Brazil, and England twice to finish with the bronze medal. Belgium also finished fourth at the 1986 edition in Mexico.
They’ve struggled to live up to expectations at this World Cup so far though, drawing both of their opening games with Egypt and Iran. Like New Zealand, they need a positive result to ensure they aren’t eliminated at the group stage for the second consecutive edition.
Belgium’s Qualification Campaign
Belgium booked their tickets to North America by finishing top of Group J in UEFA qualifying, with five wins and three draws from their eight fixtures.
They scored 29 goals across the campaign, and notched up back-to-back victories over their nearest group rivals Wales to secure qualification.
The Coach
Rudi Garcia has taken on his first international coaching job to lead Belgium to FIFA World Cup 2026™, having previously had coaching jobs with some top European clubs, including AS Roma, Olympique de Marseille, Olympique Lyon, and Napoli.
Perhaps his most distinguished achievement as a coach came with Lille OSC though (with whom he spent five years as a player between 1983 and 1988) winning the Ligue 1 and Coupe de la Ligue double for the French club in 2011.
The 62-year old Frenchman took charge of Belgium in January 2025 and has won nine and lost just one of his 16 international matches in charge.
The Tactics
Belgium’s transition out of a ‘Golden Period’ has been well documented in recent years, with experienced key players like Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany having retired, and Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, and Kevin de Bruyne, past their primes. Rudi Garcia has come in at a difficult time as such, with the need to blend new talent and create a new direction for the Red Devils moving forward.
He has retained Belgium’s traditional emphasis on possssion-based football, but has looked to do it with more attacking purpose, moving the ball quickly and pushing defenders into higher attacking positions. De Bruyne remains the team’s conducter through midfield, with the energy of Jeremy Doku in one-on-one situations out wide another key weapon.
Converting those attacking opportunities has proven troublesome for Belgium at this World Cup so far though, scoring just one goal at the tournament, despite bossing possession and creating plenty of chances.
The loss of experienced defenders like Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen to retirement have also made them most vulnerable in defence. The current central defensive pair of Nathan Ngoy and Brandon Mechele pale in comparison in terms of experience and lack the same chemistry. Ngoy was dismissed for a red card against Iran as well, meaning a replacement will need to be drafted into the starting eleven against New Zealand.
Player to Watch: Kevin de Bruyne
The pressure is on Belgium as they look to avoid a disasterous elimination at the group stage, and the man who may be responsible for carrying most of the burden of rescueing their campaign is Kevin de Bruyne.
Now 34 years old, the attacking midfielder is appearing in his fourth FIFA World Cup and has been a central figure for Belgium over the past 15 years. He remains the key playmaker in Garcia’s midfield trio, and his creative nous, whilst perhaps slightly more limited than it was a couple of years ago, continues to be pivotal for the hopes of this Belgian side.
He currently plays his club football for Italy in Napoli, where he won the Supercoppa Italiana last season, and has scored 37 goals in 121 international appearances since collecting his first cap for Belgium in 2010.
Limiting De Bruyne’s time and space will be key for New Zealand if they are to reduce Belgium’s attacking fluency and momentum in Vancouver.
New Zealand’s Record
This will be the first meeting between New Zealand and Belgium at full senior international level, with the U-23 age-group side Olywhites having previously lost to Belgium in Shanghai at the 2008 Olympic Games.
The All Whites record against European opposition in general is poor, having failed to win any of their 16 international fixtures against such opponents dating back to a 1-0 win over Serbia prior to FIFA World Cup 2010. They have also failed to register a victory in any of their previous 12 matches against top-10 ranked international opposition.
The record books are against New Zealand, but they are eager to create history.