GROUP G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was left finely balanced after Iran and Belgium both came from behind to secure draws against New Zealand and Egypt respectively, ensuring all four teams ended the opening round of matches with one point each.
In Los Angeles, Iran twice recovered from deficits to deny New Zealand what would have been a memorable first-ever World Cup victory. The All Whites made a dream start when Motherwell forward Elijah Just fired home a powerful half-volley after captain Chris Wood held up the ball and teed him up inside the area.
New Zealand looked full of confidence and continued to threaten, but the first hydration break midway through the opening half proved a turning point. Iran, who had already seen star striker Mehdi Taremi strike the post with a fierce effort from distance, gradually took control and found an equaliser when Ramin Rezaeian cleverly flicked the ball beyond goalkeeper Max Crocombe. The Iranians later had another effort ruled out for offside before the break.
The Oceania side regained the lead in the second half through the impressive Just, who once again combined brilliantly with Wood before lifting the ball over Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. However, Iran responded again as Mohammad Mohebbi met a precise cross from Rezaeian and guided a header in off the inside of the post to make it 2-2. Both sides continued to attack, with Iran finishing with 17 shots and New Zealand recording 14, but neither could find a winner.
Beyond the football, Iran arrived at the tournament amid significant political uncertainty. Although officials had long insisted Iran would be able to compete in the United States, concerns lingered until recently. An agreement ending hostilities between Iran and the United States and reopening the Strait of Hormuz was only announced on Sunday. Iranian staff members were reportedly denied visas, while the team had to train in Mexico rather than their intended base in Arizona. Once the match began, however, the focus shifted entirely to football, with Iran displaying slick attacking play and constant urgency, led by the ever-dangerous Taremi.
New Zealand’s standout performer was unquestionably Elijah Just. The forward, who enjoyed an impressive 2025-26 season with Motherwell, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists in the Scottish Premiership, justified his growing reputation with two superbly taken goals. His partnership with Wood caused problems throughout the contest. Reflecting on his performance afterward, Just said: “One goal was nice, two was not something I could ever have dreamed of. This team is really special but we know how tough our other opponents are. We have a lot of work to do.”
Meanwhile, in Seattle, Egypt came agonisingly close to securing their first-ever World Cup victory before Belgium fought back to earn a 1-1 draw. The Pharaohs, backed by passionate supporters on the United States’ west coast, took the lead in the 21st minute when Al Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour unleashed a thunderous 20-yard strike beyond Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Egypt nearly doubled their advantage before halftime when Mostafa Zico’s low drive across goal was brilliantly tipped behind by Courtois. In the second half, captain Mohamed Salah, playing on his 34th birthday, also came close when his header was saved by the Belgian goalkeeper, while Ashour could not convert the rebound.
Belgium gradually grew into the contest and began to dominate possession and territory. Kevin De Bruyne came close when he struck the outside of the post from a free-kick before manager Rudi Garcia introduced the country’s all-time leading scorer, Romelu Lukaku, in the 66th minute. The substitute’s presence immediately unsettled Egypt’s defence, and moments later Thomas Meunier’s low cross was diverted into his own net by defender Mohamed Hany under pressure from the Napoli striker.
Lukaku’s impact was particularly notable given that hamstring injuries had restricted him to just 40 minutes of Serie A action for Napoli during the 2025-26 campaign. Yet his introduction transformed Belgium’s attack and helped rescue a point for the Red Devils.
For Egypt, the result extended a frustrating World Cup record. Despite being seven-time African champions and one of the continent’s most successful football nations, they remain without a win in eight World Cup matches dating back to their tournament debut in 1934. Nonetheless, they managed to avoid defeat for only the third time on football’s biggest stage.
With Iran drawing 2-2 against New Zealand and Belgium sharing a 1-1 stalemate with Egypt, Group G remains perfectly poised. All four teams sit on one point after the opening round, leaving qualification to the knockout stage firmly in the balance as the tournament progresses.
