Mohamed Salah, potentially playing in his last World Cup, will look to guide Egypt past the group stage in the 2026 edition of the quadrennial tournament. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Belgium will seek to underline its credentials ​as the Group G favourite when it opens its FIFA World Cup 2026 ⁠campaign against Egypt in Seattle on Monday, but the Africans can draw confidence from victory when the sides last met and will hope a disciplined gameplan can frustrate ‌one of Europe’s leading sides.

Belgium arrives in North America as one of the contenders to progress deep into the tournament despite being some way ‌removed from the generation that delivered a third-place finish at the ‌2018 ⁠World Cup — the best result in the country’s history.

While Kevin ⁠De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois remain key figures, coach Rudi Garcia has overseen a gradual transition towards a younger core led by Jeremy Doku, Amadou Onana and Charles De ​Ketelaere.

Belgium is expected to dominate ‌possession, while Egypt defend deep and look to break through Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

Egypt is making only its fourth World Cup appearance and remains in search of a first victory at the finals after ‌seven winless matches across previous tournaments.

The Pharaohs will take encouragement from ​the last meeting between the sides, when they claimed a 2-1 victory in a friendly in Kuwait in November 2022.

On paper, Belgium possesses greater quality across the pitch and ‌will expect to begin its campaign with three points. Egypt, however, has little to lose and will back itself to frustrate its opponent ​long enough for Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush to exploit openings on the counterattack.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Published on Jun 15, 2026