World Cup knockout football is guaranteed for at least one first-timer.
Now for Group G and a unique chance for one nation to guarantee a place in the knockout stages for the first time.
Belgium
The manager
Rudi Garcia. The Frenchman has been around at club managerial level but this is his first international job after Domenico Tedesco left in January 2025. He’s had an auspicious start, losing just once in 14 games. I’m pretty confident he’ll make it out of the group and from there, the world is his Guylian oyster.
Last World Cup
After finishing 3rd in 2018, it was a crash down to earth in 2022, failing to make it out of their group. Losing 2–0 to eventual group winners Morocco and a drab 0–0 draw with Croatia sealed their fate. It was the first time they’d not made it out of the groups since 1998.
Who’s getting the goals
Romelu Lukaku has 90 international goals to his name for a reason, even if his form can falter between matches. As long as he stays on his feet and gets the service, he’ll score. Jérémy Doku, Axel Witsel, Kevin De Bruyne, and Youri Tielemans are obvious predictions for the scoresheet but Leandro Trossard should be there too.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Racing Lagoon. So stylish and a joy to watch. Not a winner of awards but definitely a champion to the fans.
Egypt
The manager
Hossam Hassan. The man who got Egypt’s only goal at Italia 90 is now running the show. He doesn’t have the success of his peers—he’s never won a trophy as a manager—but has an air of nationalist arrogance that suggests otherwise. There’s never been a better time to put his money where his mouth keeps going.
Last World Cup
2018. It was their first World Cup since 1990 and it ended worse than in Italy: 3 defeats, 2 goals (both scored by Salah) and rock bottom of the group.
Who’s getting the goals
Mo Salah still remains the team’s talisman. His Liverpool tenure may be reaching a sour end but for Egypt, he can do no wrong. Marmoush and Trezeguet will hope to join him in the goals if they can muster more than 2 between them all.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories. There’s a deep passion amongst players and success has come from within that realm but not outside it. I guess Salah would be Yugi here? Not sure if this analogy works.
Iran
The manager
Amir Ghalenoei. This is the manager’s second time as Iran coach, after joining in 2006. But an Asian Cup quarter final defeat to South Korea on penalties was enough for the Iranian Football Federation to not renew his contract. Now he has the chance to make it to the round of 32.
Last World Cup
2022. They famously beat Wales in the group stage but it wasn’t enough to get them out of it.
Who’s getting the goals
Mehdi Taremi is getting on now at 33 but his international record speaks for itself: 60 goals in 105 caps and 4 in 4 this year so far. Mehdi Ghayedi is arguably their star player, and an outspoken one, but consistency hasn’t been his friend so he’ll need to lock in if he wants to bring glory to the team and the nation. Expect fancy dribbles and rockets from outside the area should he get the opportunity.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Civilization. There’s often conflict going on and it’s all about playing in and around it to achieve success and honour those who are still here. Good luck to them.
New Zealand
The manager
Darren Bazeley. The former Watford right back finds himself at a World Cup managing the All Whites after nearly a decade working his way through the youth teams and backrooms of New Zealand football.
Last World Cup
2010. They actually did better than expected and went unbeaten—something not even Spain could do. Sadly they didn’t make it out of the groups though as they got 3 draws but it allowed them to finish above Italy which is a win in and of itself. In another group at another tournament in an alternative universe, that could have got them into the round of 16.
Who’s getting the goals
Another case of if they get goals but it’ll almost certainly be from Chris Wood. Eli Just has had a great season in the SPL and could join him.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Jurassic Park (the arcade version). It’s a bumpy ride that feels fun and exciting but the hits are unavoidable if you stand a chance of progressing. They’ll be hoping for infinite credits and invincibility this World Cup.