• Home
  • Soccer
  • 2026 World Cup

New Zealand vs Belgium World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Belgium set for knockout phase

andrew-hendrie
Editor
Last updated: Fri 26 Jun 2026 06:12

Belgium face New Zealand in a do-or-die FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G clash in Vancouver. Despite underwhelming performances, Belgium need a win to advance, facing a New Zealand side who have never won a World Cup match and are in poor recent form. Belgium's unbeaten 15-match run gives them the edge, while New Zealand's inability to hold leads and decade-long drought against European opponents make an upset unlikely. Key player props include shots from Maxim De Cuyper and Eli Just. Live streaming is available via bet365, with Belgium tipped for a clean-sheet victory.

Andrew Hendrie 4 hours ago
Share this article
Or copy link
  • New Zealand vs Belgium predictions for Friday's World Cup Group G game
  • Belgium backed for a win to nil and big win
  • Belgium possibly on track to finish 2nd in Group G & face Socceroos in R32
  • The match is scheduled for kick off at 1.00pm AEST on Saturday June 27
New Zealand Belgium
New Zealand v Belgium Live StreamWatch live online at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026. T&Cs apply. Watch and bet To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.


New Zealand vs Belgium World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream


Belgium will be expecting some considerable improvement as they look to secure a spot in the World Cup Round of 32 when they face New Zealand in Group G action on Friday night in Vancouver.

Having won just one game at the World Cup since reaching the 2018 semi-finals with their golden generation, Belgium are in danger of crashing out in the group stage, with only victory here ensuring a place in the R32. Fortunately for Belgium, they are facing a team that has never won a World Cup game in their history, but New Zealand have ability and have played some decent football this World Cup - they just don't have the quality to keep it up for 90 minutes.

The Kiwis have twice blown leads against Iran and Egypt and only a monumental upset here would see them to progress to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time.

However, with 10 defeats from their last 13 games and without a victory over a European nation since 2010, that appears very unlikely.

I'm backing Belgium to win this game to nil, while I'm also focusing on a couple of player shot props. Brighton fullback Maxim De Cuyper had a whopping five shots against Iran and will likely get involved going forward again here, while Motherwell man Elijah Just is New Zealand's best player at the moment and scored a brace in his opener - he can make an impact again.
  • New Zealand have lost 10 of their last 13 games
  • New Zealand have lost six of those 10 games to nil
  • New Zealand are winless vs European teams in their last 17 games, losing 13
  • Belgium are unbeaten in their last 15 games, winning nine
  • Three of Belgium's last four wins have been to nil
  • Belgium have scored 4+ goals in four of their last five wins
  • Maxim De Cuyper had five shots vs Iran, with four on target
  • Eli Just has had 1+ shots on target in both games this World Cup, including scoring a brace vs Iran

New Zealand vs Belgium Head To Head

This will be the first ever meeting between the nations.

New Zealand Form Analysis

After registering three draws at their last World Cup appearance in 2010, New Zealand started off their 2026 campaign with another share of the spoils.

The Kiwis twice went ahead against Iran through a double from star midfielder Eli Just, but they couldn't hold on and were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Darren Bazeley's side went ahead again after a header from Finn Surman, but three second half goals from Egypt condemned the side to a 3-1 defeat and needing all three points here to make the R32.

New Zealand Team News

No injury concerns for New Zealand, with Bazeley naming the same starting 11 for both games.

Chris Wood has experienced a quiet World Cup and the Nottingham Forest striker would love to step up for his nation in this do-or-die clash.

New Zealand Squad

PosPlayerAgeCapsGoalsClub
GKMax Crocombe32260Millwall
GKAlex Paulsen2380Bournemouth
GKMichael Woud2760Auckland FC
DFTim Payne32533Olimpia
DFFrancis de Vries31211Auckland FC
DFTyler Bindon21273Nottingham Forest
DFMichael Boxall37651Minnesota United
DFLiberato Cacace25391Wrexham
DFNando Pijnaker27250Auckland FC
DFFinn Surman22213Portland Timbers
DFCallan Elliot26120Auckland FC
DFTommy Smith36562Braintree Town
MFJoe Bell27341Viking
MFMarko Stamenić24413Swansea City
MFSarpreet Singh27303TSC
MFElijah Just264611Motherwell
MFAlex Rufer30260Wellington Phoenix
MFBen Old23262Saint-Étienne
MFCallum McCowatt27344Silkeborg
MFRyan Thomas31273PEC Zwolle
MFLachlan Bayliss2340Auckland FC
FWLogan Rogerson28182Auckland FC
FWChris Wood (Captain)349245Nottingham Forest
FWKosta Barbarouses367610Western Sydney Wanderers
FWBen Waine25319Port Vale
FWJesse Randall23132Dundee United

Belgium Form Analysis

It's been a subpar World Cup for Belgium so far and they need all three points here to ensure their ticket into the R32.

Belgium looked as if they would cruise into top spot in this group, but they needed an equaliser from veteran striker Romelu Lukaku off the bench to secure an opening 1-1 draw with Egypt.

Rudi Garcia's team were then reduced to 10 men against Iran and couldn't find a way through, enduring a 0-0 stalemate that leaves them on two points.

It means a Belgium win here and Egypt beating Iran would see the Red Devils finish second in the group and set up a R32 showdown in Dallas with Australia.

Belgium Team News

Jeremy Doku has rejoined the squad after jetting back to Europe to witness the birth of his first child, but he's unlikely to play 90 minutes here.

Nathan Ngoy is suspended after his red card against Iran and will need to be replaced in defence.

Belgium Squad

PosPlayerAgeCapsGoalsClub
GKThibaut Courtois341110Real Madrid
GKSenne Lammens2320Manchester United
GKMike Penders2000Strasbourg
DFZeno Debast22261Sporting CP
DFArthur Theate26341Eintracht Frankfurt
DFBrandon Mechele33111Club Brugge
DFMaxim De Cuyper25214Brighton & Hove Albion
DFThomas Meunier348210Lille
DFKoni De Winter2480Milan
DFJoaquin Seys2150Club Brugge
DFTimothy Castagne30652Fulham
DFNathan Ngoy2360Lille
MFAxel Witsel3713812Girona
MFKevin De Bruyne3412137Napoli
MFYouri Tielemans (Captain)298713Aston Villa
MFDiego Moreira2130Strasbourg
MFHans Vanaken33367Club Brugge
MFNicolas Raskin25152Rangers
MFAmadou Onana24301Aston Villa
FWRomelu Lukaku (Vice-Captain)3312890Napoli
FWLeandro Trossard315312Arsenal
FWJérémy Doku24447Manchester City
FWDodi Lukébakio28316Benfica
FWCharles De Ketelaere25316Atalanta
FWAlexis Saelemaekers26252Milan
FWMatias Fernandez-Pardo2140Lille

New Zealand vs Belgium Live Stream

Watch and bet on New Zealand vs Belgium live football from the World Cup.

You can watch and bet on the match live at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026 with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access.

To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming on bet365 is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.

Verdict

Belgium are backed for all three points and a clean sheet, potentially setting up a R32 clash with the Socceroos.

Best Bet1: Belgium Win To Nil $1.92 at NextBet - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Maxim De Cuyper 1+ Shots On Target $1.80 at picklebet - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Elijah Just Shots On Target $2.60 at picklebet - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Belgium 4-0 Correct Score $10.00 at dabble - 1 Unit
Belgium
Win To Nil
$1.92 - 3 Units
Challenger 'NextBet' is here
register with referral code BETS

18+. T&Cs apply

Bet at NextBet
Maxim De Cuyper 1+
Shots On Target
$1.80 - 2 Units
Same Game & Race Multis
Use affiliate code BETSAU

Exciting new betting app now live. Use code BETSAU on sign-up. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Imagine what you could be buying instead.

Bet at picklebet
Elijah Just
Shots On Target
$2.60 - 1 Unit
Same Game & Race Multis
Use affiliate code BETSAU

Exciting new betting app now live. Use code BETSAU on sign-up. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Imagine what you could be buying instead.

Bet at picklebet
Belgium 4-0
Correct Score
$10.00 - 1 Unit
Download the dabble app
with referral code BETSAU

Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at dabble

Top Betting Sites

Betting offers

Upcoming Events

27 June 2026

  • Saturday Roughies - June 27 -
  • Horse Racing
  • Morphettville - June 27 -
  • Horse Racing
  • Dolphins vs New Zealand Warriors -
  • Rugby League
Load More
Betting Slip | 27 Jun 2026

New Zealand v Belgium

days

hours

min

Add to Calendar
Hear more from bets.com.au