The most politically charged games at the World Cup will take place in Group G, but the storylines on the field are compelling, too. While Belgium is the favorite, Egypt and Iran come in with hopes of reaching the knockout round for the first time in their histories.
The Post previews Group G.
Teams listed in predicted order of finish.
Belgium
Odds to win group: -245
What you need to know: Belgium’s golden generation, which made it as far as the 2018 semifinal, is no more. Though Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois are still key parts of the side, it’s a fundamentally different team from the one that looked over the hill four years ago in failing to get out of the group stage in Qatar. Built around star winger Jérémy Doku, the Red Devils bring plenty in attack, but a young back line will be under constant scrutiny.
How they play: Rudi Garcia sets up Belgium in a 4-3-3, and they can play through the middle, where De Bruyne is still top-class, or threaten on the wings, especially if Doku can get isolated and use his speed. Players such as Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere and Loïs Openda add to Belgium’s depth in attack. It’s a strong technical side that can play fast with the ball. If the center back duo — likely Arthur Theate and either Brandon Mechele or Zeno Debast — can hold up, Belgium could still have a run in them.
Star player: Doku. The Manchester City winger can take over games. He’s one of the best dribblers on the planet, with terrific speed and skill, and Belgium will look to get him on an island against opposing defenders. If they can do so, watch out.
World Cup history: A fourth-place finish in 1986 was Belgium’s highlight until the golden generation, led by Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany and De Bruyne, took center stage at the 2014 World Cup. A quarterfinal exit in Brazil, a third-place finish in Russia four years later and a group-stage exit in Qatar didn’t exactly maximize the potential of that group, which sat atop FIFA’s world rankings for an extended period. Still, for a country that had only ever been to one quarterfinal, it was a high-water mark.
Iran
Odds: +650
What you need to know: Iran’s participation at the World Cup was up in the air due to its war with the United States, but the federation agreed to come if given guarantees related to visas, security and treatment of players, staff, the Iranian flag and anthem. The team arranged to move its camp from a planned site in Arizona to one in Mexico.
Iran’s matches, two of which will take place in Los Angeles, which has a large diaspora community, will be the most geopolitically loaded of the tournament. A potential Round of 32 matchup against the United States, should both teams finish second in their groups, looms large.
How they play: Manager Amir Ghalenoei’s side can be a tough watch, but it’s often effective. Iran grinds out games, usually from a 4-4-2, playing a solid, organized, defensive style.
Star player: Captain Mehdi Taremi, who plays at the club level for Greek side Olympiacos, is their best goal-scorer with a 6-foot-2 frame and strong finishing attributes. The 33-year-old’s mandatory service came in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, making his entry into the United States a potential flashpoint.
World Cup history: Iran qualified for each of the past three World Cups and six World Cups prior to this one, but has never made it out of the group stage. During the 2022 World Cup, Iranian players refused to sing the national anthem prior to their first match as a show of solidarity toward the Women, Life, Freedom protests in the country.
Egypt
Odds: +400
What you need to know: A semifinal run at the Africa Cup of Nations in January set the stage for an Egyptian side that looks ready to get out of its group for the first time. Led by superstar Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush, manager Hossam Hassan’s side should be able to compete in a group where there’s no clear second-best team after Belgium.
How they play: With Salah and Marmoush occupying the front two of a 3-4-1-2, Egypt wants to get the ball to its best players and can score when it does. Mahmoud Trezeguet and Zizo add quality in midfield, while 37-year-old goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy brings a wealth of experience.
Star player: Salah will turn 34 during the World Cup, and played his last game for Liverpool in May after a pedestrian-by-his-standards season. But of course he’s still the answer here. The Egyptian King is his country’s best-ever player by a mile, one of the best right wingers in history and capable of electrifying skill. If he can take Egypt to the knockout round for the first time, it would be a terrific way to cap his World Cup career.
World Cup history: Egypt has qualified for the tournament just three times: 1934, 1990 and 2018. The Pharaohs have never won a game at the World Cup, failing to take a point in Russia eight years ago.
New Zealand
Odds: 20/1
What you need to know: The expanded 48-team field meant Oceania’s confederation was given a direct qualifying spot this year instead of its winner going to an intercontinental playoff. That made things fairly straightforward for New Zealand, which breezed through the competition without a serious challenge. The World Cup will not be so simple. Aside from striker Chris Wood, there aren’t many names on this team with experience in the world’s best leagues or competitions.
How they play: Manager Darren Bazeley likes to set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 and play out from the back. That will be hard to execute when New Zealand comes in with an obvious talent deficit. There will be an obvious temptation to play route-one football with Wood as a focal point.
Star player: Wood, New Zealand’s captain, doubles as its best player. The Nottingham Forest striker is physical, tall and a dangerous finisher, scoring 20 goals in the Premier League just last season, though injuries limited his production this year. For a national team that doesn’t have many other players in top-flight European competition, New Zealand’s scoring chances revolve around Wood.
World Cup history: This will be New Zealand’s third World Cup, and the All Whites failed to win a game in 1982 and 2010, though they did earn a trio of draws in South Africa. Expect to see them at the competition more often, though. The expanded 48-team field, plus Australia’s move from Oceania’s confederation into Asia’s, eases New Zealand’s qualifying path significantly.
Group G World Cup schedule
Belgium vs. Egypt, Mon., June 15, 3 p.m., Seattle
Iran vs. New Zealand, Mon., June 15, 9 p.m., Los Angeles
Belgium vs. Iran, Sun., June 21, 3 p.m., Los Angeles
New Zealand vs. Egypt, Sun., June 21, 9 p.m., Vancouver
New Zealand vs. Belgium, Fri., June 26, 11 p.m., Vancouver
Egypt vs. Iran, Fri., June 26, 11 p.m., Seattle
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
