Belgium and Iran both bid for their first win of World Cup 2026 in a crunch Group G clash in Los Angeles.
Iran, who entered the tournament amid the increased scrutiny of the ongoing war with co-hosts the United States, grabbed two equalisers in their opening 2-2 draw with New Zealand at LA’s So-Fi Stadium.
Belgium, meanwhile, also drew their opening game as Romelu Lukuku rose from the bench to force Mohamed Hany’s second-half own goal in their 1-1 stalemate against Egypt, leaving Group G finely poised.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei criticised their increasingly difficult preparation conditions for the Belgium match, questioning why US authorities appear willing to offer his team greater travel flexibility for their final group game but not their opening fixtures.
Iran are commuting to the US from Tijuana, Mexico and Ghalenoei said his team were only able to train for “half the time” they would usually spend on preparations.
Follow the latest from Belgium v Iran, below
The surreal possibility hanging over Iran’s perilous World Cup campaign
The hard truth is worth repeating: it is the first time in the World Cup’s 96-year history that a competing nation is at war with a host. Kieran Jackson explains:
The surreal possibility hanging over Iran’s perilous World Cup campaign
Last time out: Resilient Iran defy obstacles to salvage draw against New Zealand
Iran drew their World Cup 2026 opener with New Zealand but emphatically won the support of the Iranian community inside SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, having overcome unprecedented obstacles just to play at these finals.
The Asian team hit back twice through Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi to force a 2-2 draw, with Eli Just grabbing a brace for the All Whites.
A World Cup had never kicked off with a host at war with a participant before. Iran have faced the threat of being unable to take their place at the tournament ever since the United States and Israel launched a bombing campaign back in February, been forced to change training venue from the US to Mexico to combat visa issues, and still had 11 non-playing officials blocked from entering the States for the team’s matches.
Last time out: Romelu Lukaku forces late Belgium equaliser against Egypt
Romelu Lukuku shrugged off fitness concerns to help spare Belgium’s embarrassment as they fought back for a 1-1 draw against Egypt in their opening match of the World Cup in Seattle.
Lukaku, his country’s record goalscorer, was introduced in the 66th minute and within seconds was involved in the move that saw Mohamed Hany prod in an own goal to bring the two-time semi-finalists back on level terms.
Egypt had started brightly and snatched the lead in the 20th minute when Emam Ashour lashed the ball past Thibaut Courtois from the edge of the box to give his side hope of a first ever win at a World Cup finals.
Iran coach questions US officials’ inconsistency as training for World Cup clash with Belgium cut short
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has criticised the US authorities for how they have scheduled the team’s World Cup training, arguing there has been no consistency between games and that Iran are at a significant disadvantage for their upcoming fixtures.
Iran’s World Cup sojourn has been fraught with difficulty as a result of the war between it and the US. The team’s base was relocated to Tijuana, Mexico from its original planned base in Tucson, Arizona, while several staff members were denied visas to enter the US.
The squad has had to commute to the US for their Group G matches due to severe restrictions over their stay in the country, but those restrictions have been applied inconsistently from game to game, Ghalenoei said.
What is the Iran team news?
For Iran, Saman Ghoddos’s presence is up in the air after the midfielder went off injured against New Zealand, battling an ankle problem. And Rouzbeh Cheshmi will miss this Belgium tie, having also missed Iran’s opener.
Possible Iran XI: Beiranvand; Rezaeian, Khalilzadeh, Nemati, Mohammadi; Mohebbi, Ezatolahi, Ghoddos, Yousefi; Taremi, Moghanlou.
What is the Belgium team news?
Jeremy Doku is set to miss the clash due to a respiratory infection. After Belgium’s first-choice centre forward Charles de Ketelaere missed training this week and was seen sporting a bandage, there was some speculation that he could make way for Lukaku in the starting XI to face Iran – especially given Lukaku’s instant impact off the bench against Egypt. However, De Ketelaere is expected to be fit enough to begin the game. Otherwise, Zeno Debast remains a confirmed absentee, with the defender having entered the World Cup injured.
Possible line-up: Courtois; Meunier, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onana, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Vanaken; De Ketelaere
Belgium v Iran TV channel and kick-off time
When is Belgium v Iran?
Belgium will play Iran at 8pm BST on Sunday 21 June (12pm ET) in Los Angeles.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match free-to-air on ITV1 with coverage starting at 7pm BST. It can also be live-streamed on ITVX.
Good evening and welcome
Belgium eye their first win at the 2026 World Cup today, as they take on Iran in each team’s second game in Group G.
On Monday, Belgium got off to an underwhelming start as they drew 1-1 with Egypt, coming from behind to salvage a point as substitute Romelu Lukaku forced Mohamed Hany into an own goal.
However, with Iran next for the Red Devils before a final group-stage match with New Zealand, Belgium will still fancy their chances of topping the group.
That is especially so given Iran and New Zealand shared the points in their game on Tuesday, when goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi helped Iran to a 2-2 result.
Iran claimed they were forced to leave the US within minutes of the final whistle, retreating to their training camp in Mexico, and they also said they were denied the chance to fly back to the US two days before facing Belgium.
Follow all the build-up before tonight’s Group G clash
