Continental heavyweights from Oceania and Europe square off in the concluding Group G fixture in Vancouver.
Group G
Saturday, 27 June | BC Place Vancouver
Kick-off time
11:00 (GMT+8)
The match
It’s a showdown between two continental powers as New Zealand square off with Belgium in Vancouver in the concluding Group G fixture at the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The All Whites are back on the global stage for the first time since 2010 while Belgium are appearing at a 16th edition of the tournament.
Victory is paramount in this one. New Zealand earned a share of the spoils in their opener, a 2-2 draw with Iran, but fell 3-1 to Egypt in their next fixture. Russia 2018 podium-finishers Belgium have failed to kickstart their campaign, with a 1-1 draw against Egypt and a 0-0 final with Iran. A myriad of qualifying scenarios are in play for both sides, but before anything else they must secure full points to give themselves a chance.
The winners of Group G will face a third-placed nation from either Group A, E, H, I or J in Seattle while the section runners-up will clash with the Group D runners-up in Dallas. Should the third-placed team in Group G qualify as one of the eight best, they will meet either the Group I or Group B winners in New York New Jersey or Vancouver, respectively.
New Zealand possible starting XI
Crocombe; Payne, Bindon, Boxall, Cacace; Stamenic, Bell; Just, Singh, McCowatt; Wood
Belgium possible starting XI
Courtois; Mechele, De Cuyper, Meunier, Theate; De Bruyne, Tielemans, Saelemaekers, Raskin; Trossard; Lukaku
BC Place Vancouver
Now into its fifth decade of existence, BC Place Vancouver remains a jaw-dropping piece of architecture situated on the banks of the False Creek inlet. The area – which has recently undergone renovations – is the home of MLS team Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) BC Lions, and has also occasionally hosted the Canada national team.
One of the most memorable matches at BC Place Vancouver came when the venue hosted the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015™, where USA defeated defending champions Japan 5-2, thanks in no small part to a three-goal haul from Carli Lloyd inside the opening 15 minutes. The venue will host seven World Cup matches, with five group games – including two games featuring co-hosts Canada – and knockout fixtures in the Round of 32 and Round of 16.