Belgium and Iran face each other in the second round of the World Cup 2026 group stage. The game is scheduled for Sunday, 21 June, at 8 PM (BST) at the SoFi Stadium in the United States.
Both teams are eager for their first victory in the tournament, having drawn their opening matches. Belgium held Egypt to a 1-1 draw, while Iran shared the points in a 2-2 thriller against New Zealand. This inaugural meeting between the two nations promises a tight contest, with the Belgium vs. Iran prediction suggesting a close-fought battle.
Find out where to watch the match and what our experts are predicting, as well as the probable line-ups expected for today"s encounter.
Belgium vs. Iran - Head-to-head record
This World Cup group stage match between Belgium and Iran marks a historic first, as the two nations have never met in a senior international fixture.
With no previous encounters, both teams enter the unknown, eager to make a strong first impression in this inaugural meeting. The Belgium vs. Iran clash offers a blank canvas to start a new international rivalry.
Bettors should focus on recent results and player fitness, as Belgium vs. Iran stats from past games are non-existent. This makes for an unpredictable match.
Belgium - Strong and looking for more
It’s time to analyse Belgium’s current form and momentum. In the following sections, we’ll examine their recent results and tactical approach for this important World Cup fixture, before looking at the probable Belgium vs. Iran line-ups.
Recent form
Belgium began their World Cup 2026 campaign with a 1-1 draw against Egypt, a result below initial expectations. This followed a formidable pre-tournament run, where they remained unbeaten through World Cup qualification and several international friendlies. Such consistency highlights a squad capable of securing positive outcomes despite the opening setback.
Offensively, Belgium boasts significant talent, with key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard driving their creative play. Their high-scoring friendly victories over Tunisia and the USA showcased their attacking firepower. The team aims to rediscover that clinical edge to secure their first three points in the group stage.
However, defensive concerns arise due to centre-back Zeno Debast’s hamstring injury, which could impact their stability. After dropping points in their first game, Belgium now faces pressure to deliver a more commanding performance. They must be sharp at both ends of the pitch to overcome their next challenge.
Results of the last five matches
Probable line-up for Belgium
T. Courtois; T. Castagne, B. Mechele, T. Meunier, N. Ngoy; K. De Bruyne, J. Doku, A. Onana, Y. Tielemans, L. Trossard; C. De Ketelaere.
Manager: Rudi Garcia.
Iran - In search of victory
Let’s take a look at Iran’s current situation. We will analyse the team’s run of form, their recent results, and standout performers for this match.
Recent form
Iran opened their World Cup campaign with an exciting 2-2 draw against New Zealand, highlighting both their attacking prowess and defensive issues. They entered the tournament in solid form, having secured convincing wins over Costa Rica and Mali, and losing only five of their last 21 matches. This demonstrates their resilience and makes them a challenging opponent.
Defender Ramin Rezaeian starred in their opening World Cup game, scoring and assisting. Midfielder Mohammad Mohebi also got on the scoresheet, showcasing Iran’s varied attacking options. Attacker Mehdi Taremi, despite not scoring in the first match, remains a key player to watch in front of goal.
Cheshmi will miss this match, while Ghoddos’s appearance is questionable for this Belgium vs Iran fixture. Their initial World Cup performance proved their offensive capabilities can trouble opponents. However, improving their defensive solidity is vital to achieve a good result in this challenging match.
Results of the last five matches
Probable line-up for Iran
A. Beiranvand; A. Nemati, M. Mohammadi, R. Rezaeian, S. Khalilzadeh; A. Yousefi, M. Mohebi, S. Ezatolahi, A. Razzaghinia; M. Taremi, S.Moghanlou.
Manager: Amir Ghalenoei.
Belgium vs. Iran - Stats
- Belgium are currently on an impressive unbeaten run, having not lost in their last 19 international matches.
- The Belgian side has been prolific in front of goal, averaging 3.2 goals per game across their last 10 fixtures.
- Iran have proven difficult to beat, losing just five of their last 21 games.
- Defender Ramin Rezaeian was directly involved in both of Iran’s goals in their opening match, with one goal and one assist.
- Midfielder Mohammad Mohebi also got on the scoresheet for Iran in their first game of the tournament.
Predictions for Belgium vs. Iran - Belgium to Win
Belgium enter this match after a frustrating draw, but their high-scoring form in recent friendlies shows their attacking potential. Given their firepower, a game with “Over 2.5 goals" is a strong possibility.
Iran also demonstrated their scoring ability in a 2-2 draw and have been difficult to defeat recently. With both sides finding the net in their opening fixtures, the “Both Teams to Score" market looks appealing.
Despite Iran"s resilience, Belgium"s superior quality and urgency for a victory should be the deciding factor. Therefore, our main prediction is a win for Belgium in this crucial second-round World Cup match.
| Belgium x Iran | ||
| Tip | Tip | Best Odd |
| Money Line | Over 2.5 goals in total | 1.36 at BetMGM |
| Double Chance & Over/Under | Both teams to score | at BetMGM |
The odds mentioned were collected at the time of writing this prediction and are subject to change. Always check the bookmaker"s site for up-to-date information.
Best markets to bet on Belgium vs. Iran
Here are some more betting tips for the Belgium vs. Iran game.
🔥 Half-Time Result: Belgium - 1.89 at BetMGM
Belgium will be keen to get on the front foot early after their opening draw. Expect them to apply pressure from the start, making a half-time lead a very plausible scenario.
🔥 Asian Handicap: Belgium -1.5 - 0.00 at BetMGM
Given their attacking quality, Belgium is capable of securing a comfortable win. Therefore, the bets on Belgium vs. Iran in the handicap market are an attractive option for better value.
Where to watch Belgium vs. Iran?
Find out where to watch Belgium vs. Iran live with the broadcast details below:
- TV: STV (GBR), UTV (GBR), ITV X (GBR), ITV 1 (GBR)
- Streaming: STV Player (GBR), BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR)
Belgium vs. Iran - Match details
Check out the match details:
- Match: Belgium vs. Iran
- Competition: World Cup 2026
- Date: 21/06/2026
- Kick-off: 8 PM (BST)
- Venue: SoFi Stadium, United States
- Broadcast:
- BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), ITV 1 (GBR), STV Player (GBR), ITV X (GBR), UTV (GBR)
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