Belgium on the pitch to advance: XIs out vs New Zealand

In the final Group G match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, New Zealand and Belgium face off at BC Place in Vancouver, and the starting XIs for both teams have been announced. For Belgium, third in the group after dull draws with Egypt and Iran, this match is a battle to secure a place in the round of 32. A win would all but seal qualification, while a defeat almost certainly means elimination.

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia's XI features a surprise choice. Star striker Romelu Lukaku starts on the bench, with Hans Vanaken up top. A mobile attack of Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku, Leandro Trossard and Charles De Ketelaere aims to trouble the New Zealand defense. Youri Tielemans, as captain, orchestrates the play in midfield, with Thibaut Courtois in goal. Arthur Theate comes into defense in place of Nathan Ngoy, suspended for a red card against Iran. With no Belgian player having scored yet, Garcia's expectations of this attacking setup are high.

For New Zealand, head coach Darren Bazeley goes with his consistent squad from the tournament. Record goalscorer Chris Wood, as captain, plays up top, with the team's hopes once again at his feet. For the Oceania representative, who collected just one point from their first two matches, anything but a win means goodbye to the tournament.

Both teams need a clear result in this match. Belgium want to translate their advantage on paper onto the pitch, claim their first win and advance; New Zealand are chasing a surprise to reach the knockout rounds of a World Cup for the first time in their history. In this decider at BC Place, both teams are expected to press for goals.

Starting XIs
New Zealand: Crocombe; Bell, Bindon, Cacace, Just, Payne, Singh, Stamenic, Surman, Thomas; Wood (C)
Belgium: Courtois; Castagne, De Cuyper, Mechele, Theate; Tielemans (C), De Ketelaere; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard; Vanaken

Image: Yahoo Sports