Group G overview
Group G pairs Netherlands, Portugal, Ghana, and Honduras. Two European powerhouses headline a group that offers high-quality football and genuine intrigue over who finishes first. Portugal's embarrassment of attacking riches and the Netherlands' tactical evolution make this one of the most watchable groups in the tournament.
Team capsules
Netherlands FIFA Ranking: Top 10 | World Cup appearances: 11 | Best result: Runners-up (1974, 1978, 2010)
The Oranje have been the best team to never win a World Cup — three finals, zero titles. The current squad, built around Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, and Cody Gakpo, blends defensive solidity with attacking flair. The Netherlands reached the quarter-finals in 2022 and have the squad to go deeper this time.
Portugal FIFA Ranking: Top 10 | World Cup appearances: 8 | Best result: Third place (1966)
The post-Ronaldo era is underway, and Portugal may be better for it. The squad features an incredible depth of attacking talent: Rafael Leao, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, and Pedro Neto. Portugal's challenge has always been converting talent into tournament success — their best World Cup finish remains third place in 1966.
Ghana FIFA Ranking: Top 45 | World Cup appearances: 4 | Best result: Quarter-finals (2010)
The Black Stars reached the quarter-finals in 2010, where Suarez's handball denied them a semi-final place. Ghana's current squad features Premier League talent including Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, and Inaki Williams. The squad is athletic, technically gifted, and motivated by a burning desire to avenge 2010.
Honduras FIFA Ranking: Top 65 | World Cup appearances: 4 | Best result: Group stage
Honduras returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2014. As CONCACAF's fourth qualifier, Los Catrachos are heavy underdogs but bring physicality, pace, and the backing of a passionate Central American fanbase. The Honduran diaspora in the US — particularly in Houston, Miami, and Los Angeles — will turn out in force.
Match schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 13, 2026 | Netherlands vs Honduras | TBD | TBD |
| June 13, 2026 | Portugal vs Ghana | TBD | TBD |
| June 17, 2026 | Netherlands vs Ghana | TBD | TBD |
| June 17, 2026 | Portugal vs Honduras | TBD | TBD |
| June 21, 2026 | Netherlands vs Portugal | TBD | TBD |
| June 21, 2026 | Ghana vs Honduras | TBD | TBD |
Key matchups
Netherlands vs Portugal (June 21) The marquee match of the group and one of the best group-stage fixtures in the entire tournament. Two historically elite footballing nations with contrasting styles: the Netherlands' structured possession vs. Portugal's individual brilliance. This match likely determines who tops the group.
Portugal vs Ghana (June 13) A rematch from 2022, where Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in a chaotic 3-2 Portugal win. Without Ronaldo, Portugal's dynamics will be different. Ghana will see this as a winnable opener.
Prediction
- Portugal — The sheer depth of attacking talent tips the balance in their favor.
- Netherlands — Van Dijk and de Jong provide the platform for a comfortable second-place finish.
- Ghana — Kudus and Partey can carry Ghana to a competitive third, but advancing is a stretch.
- Honduras — Will compete physically but lack the quality to advance.
Match schedule
| Time (ET) | Match | Round | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16:00 | Belgium vs EgyptLumen Field | Grp G | Seattle |
| 22:00 | Iran vs New ZealandSoFi Stadium | Grp G | Los Angeles |
| 22:00 | New Zealand vs EgyptBC Place | Grp G | Vancouver |
| 16:00 | Belgium vs IranSoFi Stadium | Grp G | Los Angeles |
| 00:00 | Egypt vs IranLumen Field | Grp G | Seattle |
| 00:00 | New Zealand vs BelgiumBC Place | Grp G | Vancouver |
- Belgium vs Egypt16:00 ET
Seattle · Lumen Field
Grp G - Iran vs New Zealand22:00 ET
Los Angeles · SoFi Stadium
Grp G - New Zealand vs Egypt22:00 ET
Vancouver · BC Place
Grp G - Belgium vs Iran16:00 ET
Los Angeles · SoFi Stadium
Grp G - Egypt vs Iran00:00 ET
Seattle · Lumen Field
Grp G - New Zealand vs Belgium00:00 ET
Vancouver · BC Place
Grp G
Standings
Placeholder table—updates once the tournament begins.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Egypt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Iran | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Venues
- los-angeles
- seattle
- vancouver
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the strongest group in the tournament?
Group G is certainly among the strongest. Netherlands and Portugal are both genuine quarter-final contenders, and Ghana has proven World Cup pedigree. Only Group E (Germany, Belgium, South Korea) rivals it in overall strength.
Can Portugal win the World Cup in 2026?
Yes. The post-Ronaldo generation — Leao, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes — is extraordinarily talented. Portugal's challenge is psychological: they have historically underperformed in World Cups relative to their talent pool.
How does the Netherlands play under their current coach?
The Netherlands have moved toward a more pragmatic, defensively solid approach compared to the "Total Football" era. Virgil van Dijk anchors the defense, Frenkie de Jong controls the midfield, and the attack is fluid and interchangeable.
What is Ghana's biggest World Cup moment?
The 2010 quarter-final against Uruguay. Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty after Suarez's deliberate handball on the goal line — denying Ghana the chance to become the first African team in a World Cup semi-final. It remains one of football's greatest "what if" moments.
Where is the Honduran community in the US?
Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, and New York have significant Honduran populations. Houston alone has over 200,000 Honduran-Americans. Expect passionate support at whichever venue Honduras plays.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing in 2026?
Unlikely. At 41, Ronaldo has stepped back from the national team. Portugal has moved forward with a new generation that may be more balanced without the obligation to build around a single player.
Can Ghana qualify from this group?
It is possible but difficult. Ghana would need to beat Honduras comfortably and take points from either Netherlands or Portugal. Their attacking quality (Kudus, Partey, Williams) gives them a chance in any individual match.
What is the Netherlands' biggest weakness?
Inconsistency. The Oranje can dominate one half and collapse in the next. Their 2022 quarter-final exit against Argentina (on penalties) highlighted a tendency to lose composure under pressure.
Which teams are in Group G?
Group G is Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand.
When are Group G matches played?
All group-stage games for Group G fall between June 11 and June 26, 2026, across three matchdays—see the table below for ET kickoffs.
Where are Group G matches held?
Fixtures rotate through the FIFA host cities shown beside each match row below—not every game uses the same stadium.
Who is the favorite to win Group G?
Favorites shift with form, but the highest FIFA ranking or strongest recent tournament team in this quartet usually opens as the betting front-row—compare all four team cards on this page.
How many teams from Group G advance?
Two teams go through automatically as top two finishers, and the third-place side can still qualify if it lands inside the eight best thirds overall.
What is the format of Group G matches?
Each nation plays three group games (home/away-balanced draw), earning three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss.
What happens if teams in Group G are tied on points?
FIFA applies tiebreakers in order: goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head among tied teams, fair play, then a random draw.
When is the last matchday for Group G?
Group G finishes on FIFA’s final group round when both remaining games kick off at the same time—dates and ET times are in the schedule grid.