Belgium open World Cup campaign against Egypt as both sides adjust to life after golden generations

Opening night for two transitional sides

Both Belgium and Egypt enter the tournament confronting a similar question: how much damage can they still do without the stars who defined their recent peaks? The 2026 World Cup is already into day five, with 28 of the 48 teams having played by the time this Group G contest kicks off. For both sides, the match offers an early gauge of where they stand in a tournament that has already thrown up surprises.

The group landscape

Group G also includes Sweden and Tunisia, with Sweden already recording a 5-1 victory over Tunisia earlier in the day. That result puts immediate pressure on Belgium and Egypt, who cannot afford to lose ground in what is shaping up as a competitive section. The winners here will join Sweden at the top of the group after the first round of fixtures, while the losers face an early uphill battle.

What to expect

Neither side expects to dominate as they might have four or eight years ago. Both are described as serious teams still capable of troubling the tournament favourites, but the question is whether their remaining quality can compensate for the absence of the defining figures of their golden generations. The match could reveal whether either is ready to contend once more or is beginning a genuine rebuilding phase.

Venue and atmosphere

The game is being played at Seattle Stadium, one of the venues spread across the three host nations: Canada, the United States and Mexico. With the tournament still in its early group stage, the crowd is likely to include a mix of travelling fans and locals drawn by the World Cup spectacle. Belgium and Egypt will each have their own support, turning the stadium into a lively backdrop for this intriguing contest.