Belgium and New Zealand face off in a decisive Group G encounter that could determine who advances to the knockout rounds.

This clash is one of two gripping Group G contests scheduled for the evening, with every team in the group still harbouring hopes of reaching the next phase of the competition.

While Iran battle Egypt for the top spot and a potential Round of 16 meeting with the USA, both Belgium and New Zealand have an opportunity to progress to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup.

The All Whites cannot finish first in the group, unlike Roberto Martinez’s side, but they can certainly deny their European opponents a place in the next round.

Kevin De Bruyne, the heart of Belgium’s midfield, will once again be central to their hopes when they take on the All Whites at Los Angeles Stadium on June 21, 2026.

According to FourFourTwo, New Zealand may be the lowest-ranked nation at the tournament, but they still have a genuine chance of causing a shock.

In their earlier matches against Iran and Egypt — both of whom pushed Belgium hard — the All Whites showed resilience and composure for much of the contest.

Head coach Darren Bazeley will count on captain Chris Wood and the rest of his squad to deliver another disciplined display on the world stage.

New Zealand’s defensive record has been far from ideal, but Belgium’s attacking form has also been underwhelming so far in the tournament.

With the All Whites conceding five goals and Belgium managing only one strike, this fixture is unlikely to produce a goal fest. However, both sides are expected to find the net.

The key question, as with so many games across North America this summer, is simple: which team has the greater desire to win?

Manchester City stars past and present — Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku — remain Belgium’s biggest threats, even though their impact has been limited in the tournament to date.

For New Zealand, towering striker Chris Wood offers a potent aerial weapon, while Elijah Just’s creativity and their balanced mix of youthful energy and veteran leadership at the back could trouble the Red Devils.

If Belgium do manage to secure victory, it will likely stem from New Zealand’s lack of experience at this level rather than any true brilliance from the favourites.

Time and again, Belgium’s much-vaunted ‘golden generation’ has faltered under pressure, and this encounter could follow a similar pattern.

Should the All Whites capitalise on their aerial dominance early and take the lead, Belgium might struggle to recover and could again drop crucial points.

However, the expectation is that New Zealand’s composure might waver in the closing stages, allowing Belgium to claw back a result late on.

Prediction: New Zealand 1-1 Belgium, with goals from Chris Wood and Kevin De Bruyne.