**Belgium Advances to World Cup Knockout Stage; Iran Awaits Fate**
*Published on June 27, 2026*
Belgium has successfully secured its place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand in Vancouver. This win comes after Belgium's previous two matches, which included a draw against Egypt and a goalless tie with Iran, leaving them with a total of five points in Group G.
The match against New Zealand showcased Belgium's offensive prowess, with Arsenal's Leandro Trossard scoring twice. Trossard opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a quick finish from a corner, and he added a second goal early in the second half with a well-placed volley. Kevin De Bruyne then extended Belgium's lead with a powerful low strike from outside the box, making it 3-0. Romelu Lukaku added a fourth with a header, and Alexis Saelemaekers capped off the scoring with a fifth goal, solidifying Belgium's dominance in the match.
Belgium's performance was crucial in ensuring they topped Group G, despite earlier draws against Egypt and Iran. The team's ability to secure a decisive victory against New Zealand not only guarantees their progression but also marks a strong statement as they head into the knockout rounds.
Meanwhile, Iran finds itself in a precarious position after finishing its final group match against Egypt in a 1-1 draw. This result leaves Iran anxiously awaiting the outcomes of the final fixtures in Groups J, K, and L to determine if they will advance to the round of 32. Iran's earlier results included a goalless draw against Belgium, which further complicates their chances of progression.
Egypt, having drawn with both Belgium and Iran, has also qualified for the knockout stage as the runners-up of Group G. They are set to face Australia in Dallas in the next round.
New Zealand, on the other hand, exits the tournament after finishing with just one point from three matches, unable to secure a victory.
Belgium will now prepare to face a third-place finisher from one of the groups A, E, H, I, or J next week in Seattle, as they aim to continue their World Cup campaign. The team’s strong performance against New Zealand has set a positive tone as they look to build momentum heading into the knockout phase.
As the World Cup progresses, all eyes will be on Iran as they await the final results that will determine their fate in the tournament.