Not even the fresh start brought about by the coaching change to Rudi García, nor the enthusiastic preparation leading up to the World Cup, could prevent the Belgian national team from facing yet another make-or-break situation on the final day of the group stage—a match that could end in either disaster or relief in 90 minutes against New Zealand.
They’ve learned their lesson from Qatar 2022, when a scoreless draw against Croatia sent them home amid a public conflict in their locker room. Now they have a conditional wild card in the form of a draw, which will only be enough if Iran loses to Egypt. But the only certainty is a win—as is also the case for New Zealand, which has one point compared to Belgium’s two. The winner will advance to the World Cup round of 16.
Belgium needs to wake up
While this is an obvious and essential goal for Belgium—which has scaled back its hopes of finishing first, though it could still do so if it wins—it would be a tremendous success for its rival from Oceania.
It has never advanced past the first round. It didn’t make it past that stage in Spain 1982 or in South Africa 2010. Now it can do so if it beats Belgium.
There are many reasons for the Belgian team’s struggles; they have not led in a single game throughout the 2026 World Cup.
Not even for a second. The main issue is his overall performance; he hasn’t been able to beat either of the two opponents he’s faced.
Against Egypt, against whom they tied the score at one thanks to an own goal.
And Iran, with key saves by the opposing goalkeeper, Alireza Beiranvand, but also by their own goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, who once again kept Belgium at bay.
On an individual level, he misses Kevin de Bruyne, especially that decisive edge he always had throughout an entire decade with Manchester City and the Belgian national team.
Just like the goals scored by Romelu Lukaku, who has 90 goals in 128 games, but was sidelined for much of the year due to injuries and wasn’t in peak physical condition for the World Cup.
In any case, he set up Belgium’s only goal just 14 seconds after stepping onto the field against Egypt (Filed under: Belgium vs. New Zealand).
Doku returns to lead a Belgian team that has been forced to step up its game
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And Jeremy Doku, who made little impact in the match against the Egyptian national team.
Whether playing on the wing or even in the center of the attack, he was sidelined due to illness for the second match against Iran.
Nor has he been the dynamic, game-changing player he was for Belgium in the preseason matches or throughout his season with Manchester City, where he took that step forward by making better decisions on every play—decisions that multiply his immense value.
Doku is expected to be ready by then; he traveled to London on Tuesday to be with his wife for the birth of their first child, Praise.
But he has already rejoined the team’s training camp in Seattle, Washington, and must have recovered from the respiratory illness that prevented him from playing against Iran.
The question is whether he’ll start, given how crucial the match is, or whether he’ll wait for his chance on the bench.
Rudi García is also keeping an eye on Leandro Trossard, who suffered an injury against Iran.
Meanwhile, as is the case with De Bruyne and Lukaku, there are also expectations that players like Youri Tielemans will step up. Nathan Ngoy is suspended following his red card against Iran (Filed under: Belgium vs. New Zealand).
Probable Lineups
New Zealand: Crocombe; Payne, Surman, Boxall, Cacace; Bell, Stamenic; McCowatt, Singh, Just; Chris Wood. Head Coach: Darren Bazeley (ENG).
Belgium: Courtois; Meunier, Witsel, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vanaken or Onana, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku or Vanaken; De Keteleare. Head Coach: Rudi García (FRA).
Referee: Adham Mohammad Tumah (Jordan).
Venue: BC Place in Vancouver.
Time: 8:00 p.m. local time (3:00 a.m. on June 27 GMT) (5:00 a.m. on June 27 in Spain) – (Filed as: Belgium vs. New Zealand).
With information from EFE
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