Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- Group G finale pits New Zealand (Pot 4) against Belgium (Pot 1). New Zealand returns after 16 years since South Africa 2010 for their third World Cup — they've never escaped the group stage (1982, 2010). Belgium finished third at Russia 2018 under Roberto Martinez but enter under new boss Rudi Garcia (appointed 2025, ex-Lyon, Marseille, Roma), blending their golden generation with emerging talents. Opening results against Egypt (June 15) and Iran (June 21) will determine this match's significance.
- New Zealand deploys a 4-2-3-1 led by captain Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest, 34, 88 caps, 45 goals — all-time top scorer). The Premier League veteran striker is supported by Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle, 31, ex-PSV, 25 caps, 3 goals) in the No.10 role with Elijah Just (Motherwell, 26, 42 caps, 9 goals) and Sarpreet Singh (Wellington Phoenix, 27, ex-Bayern Munich II, 26 caps, 3 goals) on the flanks. The double pivot features Marko Stamenić (Swansea, 24, won doubles with Copenhagen, Red Star, Olympiacos, 39 caps, 3 goals) alongside Joe Bell (Viking, 27, 31 caps, 1 goal).
- Belgium's 4-2-3-1 revolves around 34-year-old Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli, joined summer 2025 from Manchester City after 6 Premier League titles and Champions League triumph) operating as the No.10. Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta, 25, ex-Milan) starts at striker ahead of Romelu Lukaku (Napoli, 33, Belgium's record scorer with 90 goals) who begins on the bench. Wide players Leandro Trossard (Arsenal, 31) and Jérémy Doku (Manchester City, 24, explosive pace) provide width. The midfield base pairs Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge, 33, 195cm, twice Belgian Player of the Year) with Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa, 29, ex-Leicester), while Amadou Onana (Aston Villa, 24, 195cm) starts as substitute.
- New Zealand's defensive core features 21-year-old Tyler Bindon (Sheffield United, 188cm, 23 caps, 3 goals) and Finn Surman (Portland Timbers, 22, 190cm, 17 caps, 2 goals) — a young center-back partnership tasked with containing Belgium's technical superiority. Full-backs Liberato Cacace (Wrexham, 25, Serie A experience with Empoli, 35 caps, 1 goal) and Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix, 32, 49 caps, 3 goals) face daunting assignments against Doku and Trossard. Goalkeeper Max Crocombe (Millwall, 32, 22 caps) confronts Belgium's attacking arsenal.
- Belgium's defense banks on Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, 34, 200cm) as the last line. Center-backs Arthur Theate (Frankfurt, 26, left-footed, 33 caps) and Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge, 33, 500+ Belgian league appearances) marshal the backline. Full-backs Maxim De Cuyper (Bologna, 25, precise left-footed crosses) and Timothy Castagne (Fulham, 30, ex-Leicester) provide width. Their challenge: neutralizing Chris Wood's aerial threat and his 191cm frame in hold-up play.
- From the bench, New Zealand's veterans Michael Boxall (Minnesota United, 37, MLS, 61 caps) and Tommy Smith (Braintree Town, 36, 2010 World Cup squad member, 56 caps, 2 goals) offer experience. Belgium counters with Romelu Lukaku (Napoli, 33) and Axel Witsel (Al-Arabi, 37, 100+ caps, ex-Dortmund, Atlético Madrid) bringing proven quality. Young talents include Belgium's Mike Penders (Strasbourg, 20, 200cm, on loan from Chelsea) and Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille, 21, switched to Belgium in May 2026) representing the next generation.