Sports · World Cup 2026 · Group G
Belgiumvs
IR Iran
Sunday, June 21, 2026 · 3:00 p.m. ET · Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium), Inglewood, CA
Watch: FS1 · Telemundo
My pick: Belgium win · locked 2026-06-20 09:12 UTCPrediction
Belgium to win. Both sides opened with draws and arrive level on a point in a wide-open Group G, but the Red Devils carry far more individual quality — Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings, Jérémy Doku and Leandro Trossard stretching defences. Iran are well-organised and dangerous through Mehdi Taremi, and a second compact display could frustrate Belgium as Egypt did, so this need not be comfortable. But Belgium's edge in the final third should be decisive. 2-1 Belgium.
The case for Belgium
52% to winBelgium were flat in a 1-1 draw with Egypt, but the talent is undeniable: De Bruyne orchestrating, Doku and Trossard running at tiring defenders, and Courtois behind a settled back line. A change or two at full-back should add energy, and against an Iran side that will sit deep, Belgium's quality on the ball ought to manufacture the openings to take control of the group.
The case for IR Iran
20% to winIran are built to frustrate — disciplined in a compact 4-4-2, physically robust, and carrying a genuine match-winner in Mehdi Taremi. They held New Zealand to a 2-2 draw and have the defensive structure to make life difficult for Belgium; if they stay tight, ride their luck and hit on the counter through Taremi, a result that blows Group G open is within reach.
Both cases written 2026-06-20, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 28% belongs to the draw.
Belgium 4-2-3-14-4-2 IR IranThe briefing
Storylines
- All four Group G teams are level on a point, making this effectively a must-win for both Belgium and Iran.
- Belgium were held 1-1 by Egypt and Rudi Garcia is weighing changes, with his veteran full-backs under pressure.
- Iran rescued a 2-2 draw with New Zealand and lean on Mehdi Taremi, with Saman Ghoddos and captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh fitness doubts.
- Played under the roof at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, a controlled environment for an afternoon kickoff.
The coaches
Rudi Garcia Belgium
The French coach took over Belgium in 2025 and leans on a 4-2-3-1 built to get the ball to De Bruyne, Doku and Trossard in space.
Amir Ghalenoei IR Iran
Experienced Iranian coach who favours a disciplined, defensively solid 4-4-2 and counter-attacks through Taremi.
Availability
| Squad | Garcia weighing full-back changes (Maxim De Cuyper in contention) after the Egypt draw; no major fresh injuries reported | Sports Mole / Squawka preview · 2026-06-20 |
| Saman Ghoddos | Doubt — minor ankle injury picked up against New Zealand leaves his start uncertain | Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-20 |
| Alireza Jahanbakhsh | Doubt — captain managing a muscular issue and may again start on the bench | Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-20 |
Availability drifts hourly in tournament week — every row carries its source and date for exactly that reason.
Watch: FS1 in English (stream on Fox One with a TV provider) and Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo or Universo (stream on Peacock); check local listings for the Spanish channel. (NBC News / FOX Sports World Cup TV schedule, as of 2026-06-20)
Weather: Roof at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles — a climate-controlled indoor environment, no forecast needed. (Venue (fixed roof), as of 2026-06-20)
Venue: Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium), Inglewood, CA, United States — FIFA strips sponsor names for the tournament; the everyday name is in parentheses.