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Belgium take on Iran next in the 2026 World Cup, with both teams seeking their first victory of the tournament.

The Red Devils managed only a draw in their opening game against a determined Egyptian side. However, as one of the group favourites, Kevin De Bruyne and his teammates will be eager to collect three points and strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout stages.

Iran, meanwhile, will be hoping to cause an upset and disrupt Belgium’s campaign with a surprise result.

In their previous outing, Belgium struggled to find rhythm. Jeremy Doku found it hard to influence the game, Kevin De Bruyne is still working his way back to full sharpness, and Leandro Trossard roamed across the pitch in search of openings.

Iran have faced plenty of challenges in this competition and are still attempting to establish consistency. Under coach Amir Ghalenoei, they will look to remain compact and catch Belgium on the counterattack, exploiting any vulnerability in a defence that has looked less solid than in past years.

The match, to be held at SoFi Stadium, may begin cautiously, with De Bruyne and Trossard trying to control possession and Doku stretching play on the flanks. However, if Belgium break through early, they may well settle into rhythm and dominate proceedings.

Belgium’s defence must stay alert to the danger posed by Alireza Jahanbakhsh from the Pro League and the finishing ability of seasoned forward Mehdi Taremi. Both players have the quality to make a difference if given space.

Romelu Lukaku, who made an immediate impact off the bench in the last match, is expected to feature prominently again. With attacking talents like De Bruyne, Trossard and Lukaku, Belgium’s firepower could prove too much for Iran to handle.

That said, the contest may not be completely one-sided. Both teams have areas of concern and may approach the early stages with measured caution.

Predicted score: Belgium 3-1 Iran

According to odds from Boyle Sports, Belgium are favourites at 4/11, with a draw priced at 7/2 and an Iran win at 13/2.

Fans can watch the Belgium vs Iran Group G clash of the 2026 World Cup live and free. The match will be broadcast on ITV and STV in the United Kingdom, FOX in the United States, and SBS in Australia.