Belgium vs New Zealand — World Cup 2026 Group G — Matchday 3: Odds & Prediction

Belgium confirm Group G first place — New Zealand chase a famous result to repeat their 2010 unbeaten group exit

Kickoff: 26 Jun 2026, 15:00 ET (12:00 PT · 15:00 ET · 20:00 BST)

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia (cap. 71,000)

Stage: Group G — Matchday 3

Odds: Belgium 1.22 · Draw 7.14 · New Zealand 15.30

26 Jun 15:00 ET

MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM · ATLANTA, GEORGIA · 71,000

Belgium

FIFA #9

New Zealand

FIFA #91

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Editor's prediction for Belgium vs New Zealand

Leo Weber

Football desk editor · 22 May 2026 · 6 min read

Belgium likely already qualified, Garcia rotates. New Zealand chasing one of the most-improbable World Cup unbeaten group-stage runs (only ever 2010 has happened in the same way). Wood's 41 goals all-time vs De Bruyne and the rotation.

Read full prediction · +150 words

Why Belgium are the favourites

Belgium have the deepest attacking squad at the tournament after the elite favourites. Even with rotation, the second XI of Trossard, Openda's replacement, and the alternates is more individually talented than any New Zealand outfield player.

New Zealand's 5-4-1 setup under Bazeley produced 0 goals conceded across OFC qualifying — but those opponents were not Belgium-quality. The territorial differential will be 75-25 in Belgium's favour for 90 minutes.

Where Belgium can get hurt

Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest, 41 international goals) at 33 is a target-man who has scored at every level of his Premier League career. The set-piece routine is the one credible New Zealand chance — and Belgium's rotation will produce a less-coordinated defensive line.

Garcia's likely rotation policy means new combinations between Theate, De Winter, and others. Coordination errors at set-pieces are the modal scenario for the one-and-only chance Wood needs.

The pick

Belgium to win and Over 1.5 goals at 1.60 is the value entry. Modal scoreline 2-0 or 2-1 Belgium. Stake 1%.

AI match analysis

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Where to bet on Belgium vs New Zealand

Tap any price to bet at that bookmaker. Lime cells show the best price across our partner books. Odds updated Last updated 1 June 2026, 17:30 UTC.

Market

Mostbet

Fonbet

1xBet

Belgium to win

Draw

New Zealand to win

Over 2.5 goals

Both teams to score

Belgium -2.0 (Asian handicap — push if Belgium wins by exactly two)

2.00 2.04 →1.96

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Head-to-head

No previous meetings.

Belgium and New Zealand have not met in any senior competitive or friendly match.

Predicted lineups

Belgium XI (4-3-3) · Rudi Garcia

Courtois · Castagne, De Winter, Theate, De Cuyper · Onana, Tielemans, De Bruyne · Saelemaekers, Lukaku, Doku

Out: —

New Zealand XI (5-4-1) · Darren Bazeley

Paulsen · Boxall, Boyens, Reid, Cacace, Garbett · Stamenić, McGree, Bell, Just · Wood (c)

Out: —

Frequently asked questions

What time does Belgium vs New Zealand kick off?⌄

Belgium vs New Zealand kicks off on 26 Jun 2026, 15:00 ET. That is 12:00 PT · 15:00 ET · 20:00 BST. The venue is Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, capacity 71,000.

Who is the favourite to win?⌄

Belgium are the favourite at consensus odds around 1.2. The draw is priced around 7.0.

What is the group situation heading into the match?⌄

This is Matchday 3, the final group-stage round. Both teams in Group G arrive with their qualification position partially or fully decided, but the group winner and runner-up determination plus third-place tiebreaker mathematics may still be in play.

Will Thibaut Courtois play?⌄

Thibaut Courtois is in the squad and is expected to start. He plays his club football at Real Madrid.

How can I watch Belgium vs New Zealand?⌄

Broadcast rights for the World Cup 2026 vary by region. In the UK, BBC and ITV split the package; in Germany ARD and ZDF; in the US FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish). Streaming is available via the respective broadcasters' platforms.