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Arun - June 21, 2026
Group G at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon is finely poised, with all four sides sitting on one point after the opening matchday.
Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt after Romelu Lukaku sparked a late equaliser from the bench, while Iran showed real resilience in coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 with New Zealand. A win here moves the victor into pole position in the group ahead of the final matchday. Our Belgium vs Iran prediction has the full details with top tips recommended by our expert analysis.
Zeno Debast is the one confirmed absentee for Rudi Garcia. The centre-back has been sidelined with a thigh injury and is not expected back during the group stage despite resuming some individual work on the training pitch.
Brandon Mechele and Nathan Ngoy continue as the central defensive partnership in his absence.
At left-back, Maxime De Cuyper is expected to replace Timothy Castagne, who picked up a yellow card in the 14th minute against Egypt and was substituted at the break. Thomas Meunier continues at right-back.
The biggest selection question for Garcia concerns the striker position. Charles De Ketelaere operated as a false nine against Egypt and is expected to continue in that role. Romelu Lukaku,
Belgium’s all-time leading scorer with 90 international goals, came off the bench against Egypt to win his 127th cap and his presence effectively forced the own goal that earned Belgium a point.
However, Lukaku barely featured for Napoli last season and has gone seven World Cup matches without a goal. Garcia is expected to keep faith with De Ketelaere from the start, with Lukaku providing the impact option from the bench.
De Ketelaere missed a training session this week and was seen bandaged but is expected to be fit.
Thibaut Courtois continues in goal. The midfield of Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans provides the defensive base, with Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings behind the forward line. Jeremy Doku’s pace from the right and Leandro Trossard from the left complete the attacking shape.
De Bruyne, with 119 caps and 37 international goals, is Belgium’s primary creative outlet and will be central to everything Garcia’s side try to do going forward.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Thomas Meunier, Brandon Mechele, Nathan Ngoy, Maxime De Cuyper
Midfield: Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans
Attacking mid: Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku
Forward: Charles De Ketelaere
Key bench: Romelu Lukaku
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has two fitness doubts heading into this fixture. Saman Ghoddos carries an ankle injury that forced him off during the New Zealand draw and is listed on the World Cup injury table.
Roozbeh Cheshmi is also a doubt and if Ghoddos cannot recover in time, Mehdi Ghayedi is the most likely replacement in midfield. Beyond those two concerns, Iran have a fit squad and will be buoyed by the character they showed against New Zealand.
Iran’s participation in this tournament had been shrouded in uncertainty for several months due to the political situation between Iran and host country the United States.
The overriding reaction after the New Zealand draw was one of relief, and the squad will carry real spirit into this match. Alireza Beiranvand continues in goal.
The back four of Ramin Rezaeian, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Ali Nemati and Milad Mohammadi is retained, with Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi both having scored in the opener.
Saeid Ezatolahi, who brings 83 international caps to the double pivot, is Iran’s most experienced midfield presence alongside Roozbeh Cheshmi or, if Cheshmi misses out, Mohammad Mohebi.
Aria Yousefi and Saman Ghoddos provide the wide threat, with Mehdi Taremi leading the attack. Taremi’s movement and finishing make him Iran’s most dangerous player and their clearest route to a goal against a Belgium defence that showed vulnerabilities in transition against Egypt. Shahriyar Moghanlou supports him up front.
For all our World Cup 2026 tips and predictions throughout the tournament, head to the hub.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK: Alireza Beiranvand
Defenders: Ramin Rezaeian, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Ali Nemati, Milad Mohammadi
Midfield: Mohammad Mohebi, Saeid Ezatolahi, Saman Ghoddos / Mehdi Ghayedi, Aria Yousefi
Forwards: Mehdi Taremi, Shahriyar Moghanlou
