FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G: Fixtures, Schedule, Venues & Ticket Guide!
The complete lineup for Group G of the FIFA World Cup 2026 consists of Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. This highly competitive, globally diverse quartet brings together elite European technical pedigree, tactical African power, disciplined Asian defensive resilience, and Oceania’s ocean-spanning underdog spirit. Across six group-stage fixtures scheduled from 15 June to 26 June 2026, these four nations will battle across world-class stadiums on the West Coast of the United States and Canada to claim their spots in the newly minted Round of 32 knockout bracket.
As soccer fans prepare for the largest-ever tournament format—expanding to 48 teams and featuring 104 total matches over 39 days—tracking the exact logistics of individual groups becomes vital. Below is the definitive, comprehensive guide to Group G, mapping out detailed match fixtures, kickoff times, host stadium environments, official global broadcast channels, and essential ticketing slots.
Group G Team Profiles: An Overview of the Contenders
Group G stands out as one of the most balanced configurations produced by the FIFA Final Draw. Free from a single overwhelmingly dominant historical giant, the group offers a fascinating tactical puzzle where regional styles clash head-on.
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| GROUP G TEAMS |
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| Team | Confederation |
+-------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Belgium | UEFA (Europe) |
| Egypt | CAF (Africa) |
| Iran | AFC (Asia) |
| New Zealand | OFC (Oceania) |
+-------------------+-----------------------------------+
1. Belgium (UEFA)
Making their 15th tournament appearance, the Red Devils enter the competition determined to capture the elusive global trophy that slipped past their previous golden generation. Rebuilt under a fluid tactical framework, Belgium combines an elite wave of creative young playmakers with battle-tested defensive anchors. They enter Group G as the mathematical favorite to top the standings, though their opening encounter against an African powerhouse will test their structural transitions immediately.
2. Egypt (CAF)
The Pharaohs represent the gold standard of African tactical discipline and rapid counter-attacking execution. Spearheaded by world-class attacking talent and supported by a highly cohesive domestic core, Egypt relies on physical midfield duels, compact low blocks, and lethal wing play. Backed by a massive, passionate traveling fan base across North America, the Ivorian-adjacent CAF heavyweights have all the tools necessary to dismantle elite European opposition.
3. Iran (AFC)
Team Melli has solidified its reputation as an Asian soccer stalwart capable of frustrating the world’s most inventive attacking teams. Remarkably disciplined, defensively stubborn, and highly physical inside the penalty box, Iran’s game plan revolves around absorbing heavy pressure and capitalizing on high-line defensive vulnerabilities via direct, vertical long-ball transitions. They aim to break their historic group-stage curse and stamp their path cleanly into the Round of 32.
4. New Zealand (OFC)
Affectionately known as the All Whites, New Zealand enters the tournament representing the newly guaranteed automatic qualification slot for Oceania. Often labeled as group underdogs, they bring a distinct, high-intensity physical style, relentless wide pressing, and highly organized set-piece routines. They are a dangerous structural matchup for teams reliant purely on patient, possession-based build-up play.
Full Match Schedule & Fixtures
The group stage follows a round-robin system where each country plays three matches. The top two teams automatically advance to the Round of 32. Crucially, because the tournament format has expanded, the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups will also advance to the knockout rounds, meaning aggregate goal differences and discipline cards are critical variables for survival.
Group G Match Timeline
- Matchday 1 (15–16 June 2026): The group opens with an absolute blockbuster as Belgium collides with Egypt at Seattle Stadium. The following morning, Iran locks horns with New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium.
- Matchday 2 (21–22 June 2026): Action intensifies on the West Coast as Belgium travels to Los Angeles to face Iran. The following morning, New Zealand battles Egypt in Vancouver.
- Matchday 3 (26 June 2026): The group stage finishes with simultaneous high-stakes matches. Egypt takes on Iran, while New Zealand plays Belgium to lock in final point deductions and advancement seeding.
The definitive schedule matrix below maps out official match dates, precise stadium venues, local kickoff times, and converted global time zones.
| Match No. | Date (2026) | Matchup | Venue / Stadium | Local Time | US Eastern Time (ET) | BST / UK Time | Indian Standard Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match 15 | Mon, 15 June | Belgium vs. Egypt | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) | 11:30 AM | 2:30 PM | 7:30 PM | 12:30 AM (June 16) |
| Match 16 | Tue, 16 June | Iran vs. New Zealand | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) | 6:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 2:00 AM (June 17) | 6:30 AM (June 17) |
| Match 37 | Sun, 21 June | Belgium vs. Iran | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) | 12:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 12:30 AM (June 22) |
| Match 38 | Mon, 22 June | New Zealand vs. Egypt | BC Place Vancouver | 6:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 2:00 AM (June 23) | 6:30 AM (June 23) |
| Match 61 | Fri, 26 June | Egypt vs. Iran | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) | 4:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 12:00 AM (Midnight) | 4:30 AM (June 27) |
| Match 62 | Fri, 26 June | New Zealand vs. Belgium | BC Place Vancouver | 4:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 12:00 AM (Midnight) | 4:30 AM (June 27) |
In-Depth Venue & Stadium Guides
Group G fixtures are concentrated entirely along the stunning Pacific West Coast of the United States and Western Canada. This geographical grouping minimizes cross-continental team travel fatigue, although varying weather patterns, turf modifications, and microclimates will heavily influence style of play.
1. Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) – Seattle, Washington, USA
- Tournament Capacity: ~69,000 seats
- Playing Surface: Advanced natural grass system (retrofitted for FIFA compliance)
- Key Design Features: Celebrated for its unique, dual-overhanging roof structures and open north end zone, Lumen Field is architecturally optimized to capture and reverberate crowd sound directly onto the pitch. The stadium will serve as a fortress for Group G, hosting the tournament-defining opener between Belgium and Egypt, followed by the crucial Matchday 3 clash between Egypt and Iran.
2. Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) – Inglewood, California, USA
- Tournament Capacity: ~70,240 seats
- Playing Surface: Temporary natural grass field matrix
- Key Design Features: This indoor-outdoor architectural marvel features a massive, translucent ETFE canopy canopy roof and an enormous, double-sided 4K Infinity Screen suspended over the pitch. Because the stadium sits below ground level, wind vectors are entirely eliminated from play, providing perfect, predictable passing conditions for Iran vs. New Zealand and Belgium vs. Iran.
3. BC Place – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Tournament Capacity: ~54,500 seats
- Playing Surface: Specialized hybrid grass layout
- Key Design Features: Located along False Creek, this premier Canadian venue boasts a state-of-the-art cable-supported retractable roof and a massive center-hung video board. Cool summer coastal breezes flowing through city corridors make Vancouver the most physically comfortable venue for high-intensity pressing games, serving as the backdrop for New Zealand vs. Egypt and New Zealand vs. Belgium.
How to Watch: Global Broadcast & Streaming Channels
FIFA’s international distribution infrastructure guarantees uninterrupted live media coverage for every Group G fixture. Media delivery is divided into primary over-the-air networks, premium digital sports packages, and regional direct-to-consumer streaming apps.
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PRIMARY REGIONAL BROADCAST NETWORKS
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Geographic Territory Authorized Rights Holders
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United States FOX Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish)
Canada CTV, TSN, RDS
United Kingdom BBC Television, ITV Network
Belgium RTBF (French), VRT (Flemish)
Egypt & MENA Region beIN Sports Network
Iran IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting)
New Zealand Sky Sport NZ, TVNZ
Indian Subcontinent Sports18 Network, JioCinema
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North American Coverage
- United States (English): FOX Sports holds exclusive broadcast rights. High-profile group fixtures like Belgium vs. Egypt will air live on the main FOX Network, while remaining matches will stream via FS1 (Fox Sports 1). Digital streams are accessible on the Fox Sports App via authenticated provider logins or platforms like Fubo, YouTube TV, and Sling TV.
- United States (Spanish): Telemundo Deportes anchors Spanish coverage. Live games air across Telemundo and Universo, while every match streams concurrently on Peacock.
- Canada: Bell Media distributes matches across TSN and CTV in English, with comprehensive French commentary on RDS and digital streaming available via TSN+.
European, African & Asian Domestic Markets
- Belgium: Public broadcasters RTBF (for French-speaking regions) and VRT (for Flemish-speaking audiences) split free-to-air coverage across national channels, with high-definition digital live streams hosted on Auvio and VRT MAX.
- Egypt & MENA: The beIN Sports network holds exclusive pay-TV broadcasting rights for the Middle East and North Africa, providing extensive Arabic and English match coverage alongside their beIN CONNECT streaming service.
- Iran: National broadcaster IRIB TV3 will transmit every Team Melli group match live with local studio analysis, complemented by national radio syndication.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ will anchor comprehensive match packages, with selected marquee matches involving the All Whites broadcast free-to-air via TVNZ and their digital platform, TVNZ+.
- Indian Subcontinent: Sports18 Network will broadcast matches in standard and high-definition formats. The JioCinema application will stream every Group G match live for free across multiple regional languages.
Ticket Purchase Guide: Operational Slots & Sales Phases
Acquiring valid tournament tickets requires utilizing FIFA’s centralized distribution portal. To stamp out black-market price gouging and counterfeit schemes, all general public ticket operations are processed exclusively through the FIFA Official Tickets Portal.
1. Historical Review of Completed Seating Allocations
To maintain equitable access across competing continents, FIFA deployed multiple ticketing slots throughout the past calendar year:
- Visa Partner Presale Window (Late 2025): An early promotional slot restricted to global Visa credit and debit cardholders.
- General Random Selection Draw (December 2025 – January 2026): Opened immediately following the final group configuration reveal. Fans selected specific Group G matches, with a randomized computer draw handling final confirmations.
- Participating Member Association (PMA) Slots (January – April 2026): Dedicated ticket blocks set aside exclusively for registered supporters’ clubs belonging to the Royal Belgian FA (RBFA), Egyptian FA (EFA), Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), and New Zealand Football (NZF).
2. The Current Phase: Last-Minute Sales Phase
For fans still trying to secure matchday tickets, the Last-Minute Sales Phase is open and will run until the final whistle on 19 July 2026.
- The Distribution Mechanic: Tickets are available on a strict first-come, first-served basis. Lotteries are no longer used; selecting an open seat and completing checkout instantly binds that ticket to your personal FIFA ID.
- Real-Time Inventory Drops: As corporate returns, media holds, and stadium sightline adjustments clear security, FIFA routinely injects extra ticket tranches into the system. Fans should monitor the portal daily.
3. Seating Categories and Face Value Pricing
Public ticket pricing for Group G matches is divided into four distinct tiers based on field proximity and sightline clarity:
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| AVERAGE GROUP STAGE TICKET PRICING |
+-------------------+--------------------+------------------------+
| Category Tier | Seat Location | Price Range (USD) |
+-------------------+--------------------+------------------------+
| Category 1 | Prime Main Stands | $250 – $395 |
| Category 2 | Corner Bowls | $165 – $275 |
| Category 3 | Behind the Goals | $70 – $145 |
| Category 4 | Domestic Residents*| $20 – $55 |
+-------------------+--------------------+------------------------+
*Category 4 is an exclusive, discounted pricing tier reserved solely
for permanent residents of the respective host nation (USA or Canada).
4. Premium Hospitality Packages
Fans seeking an upgraded matchday experience can purchase luxury packages through the official FIFA Hospitality Platform, managed by On Location. These curated bundles bypass public queues entirely, combining guaranteed Category 1 stadium seating with premium dining, private venue lounges, preferred stadium parking, and commemorative merchandise. Available options range from entry-level Sport Bars to Private Stadium Suites.
5. Official Resale Marketplace Safeguards
External peer-to-peer ticketing platforms are strictly prohibited by tournament regulations.
- The Resale Platform: Fans who can no longer attend a fixture can securely list their tickets on the Official FIFA Resale Marketplace.
- Capped Transactions: To eliminate scalping, transactions are capped strictly at original face value plus nominal administrative processing fees. Buying from unverified third-party websites runs a high risk of denied stadium entry, as dynamic digital ticket barcodes refresh continuously within the official app.
Matchday Travel Logistics & Cross-Border Immigration Rules
Because Group G matches span across both the United States and Western Canada, traveling supporters must carefully plan for cross-border transit regulations.
Immigration and Visa Standards
Supporters following their teams between American and Canadian host cities (e.g., watching Belgium vs. Iran in Los Angeles, then traveling to see New Zealand vs. Belgium in Vancouver) must hold valid travel authorizations for both nations.
Entering the United States: International visitors require either an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program or a traditional B1/B2 tourist visa.
- Entering Canada: International travelers arriving by air require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a traditional Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
- The FIFA PASS Support System: Ticket holders requiring consular visa interviews can utilize the FIFA PASS (Priority Appointment Scheduling System) portal. Inputting an official ticket invoice confirmation number generates a verified diplomatic support letter designed to expedite tourist visa interview wait times at global embassies.
General Stadium Operations & Safety Rules
A universal code of safety conduct will be strictly enforced across Seattle Stadium, Los Angeles Stadium, and BC Place:
- Mandatory Digital Entry: Physical paper tickets and PDF printouts are completely obsolete. Fans must display their tickets via the official smartphone app, which presents a secure, dynamic barcode that updates in real-time.
- The Clear Bag Policy: Only entirely clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags measuring under 12 x 6 x 12 inches are allowed inside the outer stadium security boundary. Small clutches about the size of a human hand are accepted following manual security screening.
- Transit Recommendations: Parking lots at West Coast venues are highly restricted and require advanced, prepaid parking permits. Fans are strongly encouraged to utilize local municipal light rail networks (such as Seattle’s Link Light Rail or Vancouver’s SkyTrain), dedicated city shuttle buses, or official rideshare zones to minimize transit delays.
Group G Tactical Overview & Advancement Scenarios
Group G promises highly tactical matches, making progression predictions fiercely debated among soccer experts.
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| TACTICAL ANALYSIS & STYLES MATRIX |
+-------------------+--------------------+------------------------+
| Nation | Tactical Philosophy| Main Tactical Challenge|
+-------------------+--------------------+------------------------+
| Belgium | Positional Attacking| Transition Defense |
| Egypt | Rapid Wing Counter | Midfield Possession |
| Iran | Low-Block Compact | Sustained Attacking |
| New Zealand | Physical Direct | Creative Build-Up |
+-------------------+--------------------+------------------------+
The Battle for the Top Seed
The Matchday 1 clash between Belgium and Egypt in Seattle is widely viewed as the group-defining encounter. A decisive victory for either country sets an immediate path toward winning the group, which secures a theoretically favorable Round of 32 knockout matchup against a lower-ranked wildcard team. If this opening blockbuster ends in a draw, the race for the top spot will likely come down to goal difference margins accumulated against Iran and New Zealand.
The Midfield Attrition Battle
Iran and New Zealand present contrasting physical styles that will test their opponents’ tactical adaptability. New Zealand will look to impose their size, direct wide delivery, and aerial strength. Conversely, Iran will rely on a compact defensive shape designed to absorb pressure and hit on counter-attacks. The ability of Belgium and Egypt to unlock these defensive setups without leaving themselves vulnerable to quick transitions will ultimately decide who advances cleanly into the knockout rounds.
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