BBracketResearch
World Cup 2026  /  Schedule  /  NZL v BEL
Group G · Friday, June 26, 2026

New Zealand vs Belgium

🕒 11 PM ET📺 FOX · Telemundo📍 BC Place, Vancouver

The pick

10% NZL21% Draw69% BEL
Model scoreline 0-2Expected goals 0.63 – 1.96
DraftKings: NZL +900 · Draw +475 · BEL -340PredictionMarketsPicks (model): 8% / 18% / 74%Others’ scoreline: 0-2

Win, draw, and loss probabilities and expected goals are from our team-strength model. Public consensus from 1 source: PredictionMarketsPicks (model).

Head to head

Expected shapes: New Zealand 4-2-3-1, Belgium 4-2-3-1.

New Zealand
vs
Belgium
Model rating
16671964
FIFA ranking
#85#9
Title odds
0.0%1.6%
Squad value (top 26)
€55M€548M
Players in top-5 leagues
18
Avg age (XI) · younger left
26.528.4
Squad strength by line (EA FC 26 ratings)
GKDEFMIDATT
NZLBEL
Top players
New Zealand
ST
Chris Wood
Nott'm Forest · 34y
82
PAC53
SHO83
PAS68
DRI72
DEF40
PHY81
Aerial FortressEnforcerPrecision Header
CDM
Joe Bell
Viking FK · 26y
74
PAC70
SHO64
PAS72
DRI71
DEF69
PHY81
InterceptPress ProvenRelentlessTiki Taka
LB
Liberato Cacace
Wrexham · 25y
72
PAC72
SHO60
PAS67
DRI71
DEF69
PHY74
Belgium
GK
Thibaut Courtois
Real Madrid · 33y
89
PAC85
SHO89
PAS76
DRI90
DEF46
PHY88
Cross Claimer ★Far ThrowRush Out
CM
Kevin De Bruyne
SSC Napoli · 34y
87
PAC66
SHO83
PAS92
DRI84
DEF65
PHY72
Whipped Pass ★Dead BallIncisive PassInventive
CM
Youri Tielemans
Aston Villa · 28y
85
PAC54
SHO79
PAS85
DRI80
DEF75
PHY72
Pinged Pass ★Incisive PassPower ShotPress Proven

Key players to watch

GK Belgium
Thibaut Courtois
Real Madrid · 33y
89
PAC85
SHO89
PAS76
DRI90
DEF46
PHY88
Cross Claimer ★Far ThrowRush Out
CM Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne
SSC Napoli · 34y
87
PAC66
SHO83
PAS92
DRI84
DEF65
PHY72
Whipped Pass ★Dead BallIncisive PassInventive
CM Belgium
Youri Tielemans
Aston Villa · 28y
85
PAC54
SHO79
PAS85
DRI80
DEF75
PHY72
Pinged Pass ★Incisive PassPower ShotPress Proven
ST New Zealand
Chris Wood
Nott'm Forest · 34y
82
PAC53
SHO83
PAS68
DRI72
DEF40
PHY81
Aerial FortressEnforcerPrecision Header

Projected XIs

Most-likely starting elevens based on recent selections.

New Zealand
  • 1M Crocombe
  • 2B Tuiloma
  • 3F Surman
  • 4T Bindon
  • 5F de Vries
  • 6M Stamenic
  • 7A Rufer
  • 8E Just
  • 9S Singh
  • 10B Old
  • 11B Waine
Belgium
  • 1M Sels
  • 2T Castagne
  • 3K De Winter
  • 4N Ngoy
  • 5M De Cuyper
  • 6A Witsel
  • 7Y Tielemans
  • 8K De Bruyne
  • 9D Lukébakio
  • 10M Godts
  • 11L Openda

Storylines

2026 FIFA World Cup Group G Odds & Predictions: Belgium, Egypt, Iran & New Zealand

Notes New Zealand's heavy travel burden and long odds (+1800 to win the group), with the Belgium closer in Vancouver kicking off simultaneously with Egypt vs Iran so no result can be tactically managed.

Sportscasting · 2026-06-08
← Back to schedule

Player ratings are EA Sports FC 26 attributes, used here as a consistent, public proxy for player quality. Squad-level comparisons cover the players we could rate; coverage varies by team.