New Zealand v Belgium – predictions and odds – 2026 World Cup (27 June 2026)

B BelgiumB arrive in Vancouver under pressure, knowing they cannot afford another slip-up. The 1-1 draw with Egypt on the opening day left a bitter taste in a dressing room that knows this generation’s days are numbered. De Bruyne, Courtois, Lukaku: all of them will likely be playing their last World Cup match if Belgium fail to progress from the group stage. And with that weight on their shoulders, facing New Zealand should be a chance to catch their breath. It should be.

Because what this Belgian side has shown in recent years is an enormous capacity to make life difficult for themselves. They were knocked out in the first round of Qatar 2022 with a squad that many considered to be among the best in the world. Now they arrive with slightly less talent but with the same old question mark: are they capable of functioning as a team when there’s something big at stake? Rudi García opted for Lukaku despite acknowledging himself that the striker was out of form, having played just 69 minutes since the start of the year. With that in mind, the Belgian attack rests mainly on Doku and De Bruyne, who in recent seasons has alternated between flashes of brilliance and periods of inconsistency.

Opposing them is New Zealand, in only their third World Cup, with Chris Wood as their sole reliable attacking option in Europe. The All Whites lack the individual quality of their opponents, but they haven’t come here just for a holiday either. In 2010, with far fewer resources, they were the only team to finish the tournament unbeaten. And this generation has shown enough defensive solidity not to be a punching bag: they completed their World Cup qualification without conceding practically anything in their own half.

New Zealand’s problem is that the gulf in quality between the OFC and top-flight European football is enormous, and Belgium, even with all their doubts, have players who can decide a match with a moment of inspiration from De Bruyne or a run down the wing by Doku.