All eyes of the 2026 World Cup will be on New Zealand's social media star who skyrocketed from 4 thousand to 5 million Instagram followers in the weeks before kickoff. The All Whites are back in the tournament for the first time since 2010.
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But there are lots of other storylines in Group G, which also includes Belgium, Egypt and Iran.
Belgium will be seeking redemption after its underwhelming performance in the 2022 World Cup. The Red Devils, led by leading scorer Romelu Lukaku, have finished as high as third in the 2018 tournament and are now fueled in part by some new energy on the team.
Liverpool great Mohamed Salah will be in his second tournament with Egypt. The Pharaohs have gone a homegrown route with their leadership and are hoping a mix of veteran experience and their own rising star will boost them out of the group stage.
With at least two teams making it to the Round of 32 from each group in the expanded field of 48 teams, history will be made one way or another out of Group G.
SPAIN: Lamine Yamal. Still just a teenager, few players are as exciting with the ball at their feet as the 18-year-old Barcelona winger. He already has 23 caps for Spain, bursting onto the scene as 16-year-old sensation. (NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)ARGENTINA: Lionel Messi. This certainly is the last ride for the one of the greatest players to ever do it. He led La Albiceleste to World Cup glory in 2022 and is still defying Father Time at 38 years old (he'll turn 39 during the tournament). (LUIS ROBAYO, AFP via Getty Images)FRANCE: Desire Doue. Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise are the stars of France's attack, but don't forget the 20-year-old Doue, who is a key piece in Paris Saint-Germain's midfield. He's a tricky player who is constantly putting defenses under pressure. (FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka. The 24-year-old Arsenal winger is already a well-known commodity. He's appeared more than 200 times for Arsenal and has 14 England goals already. His left foot is a wand cutting in off the right and he consistently puts defenders on their heels. (Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)GERMANY: Jamal Musiala. The 22-year-old Bayern Munich attacker is coming off a serious ankle injury suffered at July's FIFA Club World Cup. He should be go good to go this summer and his trickery and dribbling give the Germans an added dimension in midfield. (FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP via Getty Images)BELGIUM: Jeremy Doku. This 23-year-old Manchester City winger is electric. He's among the best dribblers in the Premier League and is a nightmare when he's running at defenders with the ball at his feet. (VIRGINIE LEFOUR, BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)PORTUGAL: Cristiano Ronaldo. At 40 years old, he's still not slowing down. Ronaldo has scored 109 goals since moving to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia four years ago and has transferred that form to Portugal, with eight goals in nine games for the national team in 2025. (Charles McQuillan, Getty Images)JAPAN: Takefusa Kubo. The 24-year-old Real Sociedad right winger (ESP) will consistently run at defenders, putting opponents on their heels. He led Japan in goals+assists in qualifying (11) and will be key to Samurai Blue's attack. (Koji Watanabe, Getty Images)NORWAY: Erling Haaland. An unstoppable force, the 25-year-old striker led Norway to its first World Cup since 1998. He's a scoring machine with 55 goals in 48 games for Norway and is fast approaching 150 career goals for Manchester City in just over 160 games played. (ALBERTO PIZZOLI, AFP via Getty Images)MOROCCO: Abde Ezzalzouli. A 23-year-old left winger who plays for Real Betis in Spain, gets goals and assists and isn't afraid to get stuck in. He scored in Morocco's 6-0 win over Egypt in the 2024 bronze medal game in the Paris Olympics. (Robert Cianflone, Getty Images)USA: Christian Pulisic. A lot falls on the shoulders of Captain America, and the 27-year-old winger has been building to this moment. He's played for some of Europe's biggest clubs (Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and now AC Milan) and has 32 goals in 82 caps for the US. (FREDERIC J. BROWN, AFP via Getty Images)ENGLAND: Phil Foden. The 25-year-old midfielder was named 2024 English Premier League Player of the Year, scoring 19 goals in Manchester CIty's title-winning season. He dropped off a bit last season, but is still one of the most creative players in the EPL. (Alex Pantling, Getty Images)NETHERLANDS: Cody Gakpo. The 26-year-old Liverpool forward has already scored 19 goals for Holland in just 46 caps.Memphis Depay is still the focal point of the Dutch attack, but Gakpo provides plenty of skill and speed to open up defenses. (JOHN THYS, AFP via Getty Images)ARGENTINA: Nico Paz. Part of La Albiceleste's next generation, the 21-year-old midfielder is off to a flier this season for Como in Italy's Serie A. He'll likely head back to Real Madrid next season and is the future midfield maestro for Argentina. (Rich Storry, Getty Images)SPAIN: Nico Williams. With Lamine Yamal on one side and Williams on the other, Spain's wingers give defenses sleepless nights. The 23-year-old Athletic Bilbao winger has six goals in 30 Spain caps and is electric with the ball at his feet. (NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)AUSTRALIA: Nestory Irankunda. Diminutive but dynamic, this 19-year-old forward has blistering pace, great dribbling ability and rocket for a shot. He had a brief spell with Bayern Munich's reserves, but now plays for Watford in The EFL Championship (England's second tier). (Minas Panagiotakis, Getty Images)CANADA: Tajon Buchanan. The 26-year-old winger has featured 57 times for Canada and is among its most dangerous attacking options. He's scored four times this season for Villareal in Spain. (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)SWITZERLAND: Johan Manzambi. The 20-year-old midfielder who plays for Freiburg in Germany has eight caps for the Swiss team (all this year) and scored against the U.S. in a 4-0 win last June. (FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP via Getty Images)SENEGAL: Ismaila Sarr. The 27-year-old winger has scored four goals in seven matches for the national team in 2025 and is a key part to the overachieving Crystal Palace team in England. (KENZO TRIBOUILLARD, AFP via Getty Images)1 / 19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SPAIN: Lamine Yamal. Still just a teenager, few players are as exciting with the ball at their feet as the 18-year-old Barcelona winger. He already has 23 caps for Spain, bursting onto the scene as 16-year-old sensation. (NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
ARGENTINA: Lionel Messi. This certainly is the last ride for the one of the greatest players to ever do it. He led La Albiceleste to World Cup glory in 2022 and is still defying Father Time at 38 years old (he'll turn 39 during the tournament). (LUIS ROBAYO, AFP via Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
FRANCE: Desire Doue. Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise are the stars of France's attack, but don't forget the 20-year-old Doue, who is a key piece in Paris Saint-Germain's midfield. He's a tricky player who is constantly putting defenses under pressure. (FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka. The 24-year-old Arsenal winger is already a well-known commodity. He's appeared more than 200 times for Arsenal and has 14 England goals already. His left foot is a wand cutting in off the right and he consistently puts defenders on their heels. (Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
GERMANY: Jamal Musiala. The 22-year-old Bayern Munich attacker is coming off a serious ankle injury suffered at July's FIFA Club World Cup. He should be go good to go this summer and his trickery and dribbling give the Germans an added dimension in midfield. (FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP via Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
BELGIUM: Jeremy Doku. This 23-year-old Manchester City winger is electric. He's among the best dribblers in the Premier League and is a nightmare when he's running at defenders with the ball at his feet. (VIRGINIE LEFOUR, BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
PORTUGAL: Cristiano Ronaldo. At 40 years old, he's still not slowing down. Ronaldo has scored 109 goals since moving to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia four years ago and has transferred that form to Portugal, with eight goals in nine games for the national team in 2025. (Charles McQuillan, Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
JAPAN: Takefusa Kubo. The 24-year-old Real Sociedad right winger (ESP) will consistently run at defenders, putting opponents on their heels. He led Japan in goals+assists in qualifying (11) and will be key to Samurai Blue's attack. (Koji Watanabe, Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
NORWAY: Erling Haaland. An unstoppable force, the 25-year-old striker led Norway to its first World Cup since 1998. He's a scoring machine with 55 goals in 48 games for Norway and is fast approaching 150 career goals for Manchester City in just over 160 games played. (ALBERTO PIZZOLI, AFP via Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
MOROCCO: Abde Ezzalzouli. A 23-year-old left winger who plays for Real Betis in Spain, gets goals and assists and isn't afraid to get stuck in. He scored in Morocco's 6-0 win over Egypt in the 2024 bronze medal game in the Paris Olympics. (Robert Cianflone, Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
USA: Christian Pulisic. A lot falls on the shoulders of Captain America, and the 27-year-old winger has been building to this moment. He's played for some of Europe's biggest clubs (Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and now AC Milan) and has 32 goals in 82 caps for the US. (FREDERIC J. BROWN, AFP via Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
ENGLAND: Phil Foden. The 25-year-old midfielder was named 2024 English Premier League Player of the Year, scoring 19 goals in Manchester CIty's title-winning season. He dropped off a bit last season, but is still one of the most creative players in the EPL. (Alex Pantling, Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
NETHERLANDS: Cody Gakpo. The 26-year-old Liverpool forward has already scored 19 goals for Holland in just 46 caps.Memphis Depay is still the focal point of the Dutch attack, but Gakpo provides plenty of skill and speed to open up defenses. (JOHN THYS, AFP via Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
ARGENTINA: Nico Paz. Part of La Albiceleste's next generation, the 21-year-old midfielder is off to a flier this season for Como in Italy's Serie A. He'll likely head back to Real Madrid next season and is the future midfield maestro for Argentina. (Rich Storry, Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SPAIN: Nico Williams. With Lamine Yamal on one side and Williams on the other, Spain's wingers give defenses sleepless nights. The 23-year-old Athletic Bilbao winger has six goals in 30 Spain caps and is electric with the ball at his feet. (NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
AUSTRALIA: Nestory Irankunda. Diminutive but dynamic, this 19-year-old forward has blistering pace, great dribbling ability and rocket for a shot. He had a brief spell with Bayern Munich's reserves, but now plays for Watford in The EFL Championship (England's second tier). (Minas Panagiotakis, Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
CANADA: Tajon Buchanan. The 26-year-old winger has featured 57 times for Canada and is among its most dangerous attacking options. He's scored four times this season for Villareal in Spain. (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SWITZERLAND: Johan Manzambi. The 20-year-old midfielder who plays for Freiburg in Germany has eight caps for the Swiss team (all this year) and scored against the U.S. in a 4-0 win last June. (FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP via Getty Images)
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SENEGAL: Ismaila Sarr. The 27-year-old winger has scored four goals in seven matches for the national team in 2025 and is a key part to the overachieving Crystal Palace team in England. (KENZO TRIBOUILLARD, AFP via Getty Images)
Here is USA TODAY's Group G World Cup preview:
World Cup Group G teams
The internet is buzzing about Tim Payne, who will be making his World Cup debut as New Zealand plays in only their third World Cup ever and first since 2010. Even though the All Whites finished with three draws in their last tournament, they have yet to get a win on the global stage. Striker Chris Wood set the record for most caps for New Zealand just a week before the World Cup kickoff after previously playing in all three matches in the 2010 tournament. The Nottingham Forest forward is also the team's leading scorer with 45 goals. Manager Darren Bazeley brings extensive knowledge from his playing days in England, where he is from, and he has already had success making it to the knockout stage in three U-20 World Cups with New Zealand.
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Key players: Chris Wood, Tommy Smith, Tim Payne
Egypt went undefeated in World Cup qualifying even while switching managers to Hossam Hassan. Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, who is Egypt's all-time leading scorer, scored nine of their 20 goals to boost the Pharaohs back to the tournament after missing the 2022 competition. Egypt has lots of experience on its roster from across the Premier League, Ligue 1 and La Liga as they hope to get out of the group stage for the first time. Manchester City's Omar Marmoush will be a player to watch and, while there is a lot of excitement around Lamine Yamal making his World Cup debut for Spain, Barcelona U19's Hamza Abdelkarim has made an impact at the club and is reportedly being mentored by Salah. There is clearly camaraderie on this side.
Iran has yet to make it out of the group stage of the World Cup in six appearances. Team Melli has a strong football history. They won three straight AFC Asian Cups in 1968, 1972 and 1976 and finished third in the 1996 tournament. They have yet to translate that success onto the larger platform of the World Cup. Mehdi Taremi, who is the only Iranian player to score more than one goal in the World Cup, returns for his third tournament. Ali Gholizadeh, who played in all three matches of the 2022 World Cup and got an assist, will miss this competition after injuring his knee just a month ahead of kickoff. Iran will be playing amid controversy as there are ongoing tensions between the country and the United States, which is one of three host nations for the tournament.
Key players: Mehdi Taremi, Mohammad Mohebbi, Mehdi Ghayedi
Belgium will be playing in their fourth straight World Cup and 15th competition overall. The Red Devils will be seeking redemption after not making it out of the group stage at the 2022 World Cup. This came after a third-place finish at the 2018 tournament. Manager Rudi Garcia was introduced in January of 2025 to bring some fresh leadership and the team seems to be responding well. The squad is stacked with veterans. Napoli teammates Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, the side's all-time leading scorer, along with Axel Witsel and Thibaut Courtois, who some consider the best goalkeeper in the tournament, were teammates in the past three World Cups. While some might say this group is aging past their prime, Manchester City forward Jérémy Doku, 24, will offer youth and a winning mentality as well.
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Key players: Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku
World Cup Group G schedule
Belgium vs. Egypt - Seattle, 3 p.m. ET - FOX
New Zealand vs. Iran - Los Angeles, 9 p.m. ET - FS1
Belgium vs. Iran - Los Angeles, 3 p.m. ET - FS1
New Zealand vs. Egypt - Vancouver, 9 p.m. ET - FS1
Belgium vs. New Zealand - Vancouver, 11 p.m. ET - FOX