Belgium take on Egypt in the opening game of World Cup Group G in Seattle this evening, with a win putting either side in control of the group early on.
The Red Devils come into the tournament with a talented squad but many feel the opportunity might have been and gone as the remainder of the nation’s golden generation have one final shot at international glory.
As for Egypt, Mo Salah and co. head into the game looking for their first ever win at a World Cup finals, with the Pharaohs knowing that a win this evening would put them in a great position to make the knockout rounds for the first time.
Follow all of the latest from the Group G clash with our live blog below:
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Belgium vs Egypt LIVE
- Belgium take on Egypt in Seattle in Group G opener | Live on BBC One with kick-off at 8pm BST
- Belgium XI: Courtois; Mechele, Meunier, Castagne, Mgoy; De Bruyne, Tielemans, Onana; Trossard, Doku, De Ketelaere
- Egypt XI: Shoubir; Ibrahim, Hany, Fatouh; Ashour, Zico, Fathy, Lashin, Attia; Salah, Marmoush
- Red Devils expected to top the group, with Iran and New Zealand the other opponents
- Egypt are looking for their first ever win at a World Cup
Belgium vs Egypt LIVE
19:55 , Chris WilsonThe players are out on the pitch in Seattle, so we’ll be underway once the anthems have been sung.
Belgium vs Egypt LIVE
19:52 , Chris Wilson
The unwanted Premier League reality exposed by Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne’s World Cup showdown
19:48 , Richard JollyFor two ageing greats who contested an epic rivalry over years, the World Cup could provide a last duel. Not Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – or not definitely, anyway, given the number of results required to ensure that Portugal actually do meet Argentina in the Kansas City quarter-final – but Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah.
They have met in the Community Shield, the Champions League and the Carabao Cup but theirs is primarily a Premier League battle. Now for the north-west of the United States not the north-west of England.
The unwanted Premier League reality exposed by Belgium v Egypt at World Cup
How to watch Belgium vs Egypt
19:42 , Mike JonesBelgium versus Egypt is the first game from Group G and takes place at the Seattle Stadium over on the United States’ west coast.
The match kicks off at 8pm BST and will be broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom with coverage beginning at 7.30pm.
Hazard on Belgium's chances
19:36 , Mike JonesFormer Belgium midfielder Eden Hazard spoke about his nation’s chances at this World Cup.
“There’s no doubt that Belgium are the best side in that group,” he said.
“But that first game is never easy. The squad is a mix of the old guard and a new generation who are starting to come through.
“The fact that they’re not being tipped as favourites will allow them to play with more freedom and composure. Expectations in Belgium are high, of course, but less so than in 2018 and 2022.”
What is Egypt's strength?
19:30 , Mike JonesThe African side are defensively robust.
They were unbeaten in 10 matches during qualifying and only conceded two goals.
Their manager is tactically flexible too, with the team capable of playing in a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-1-2 formation.
How will Salah go tonight?
19:24 , Mike JonesThe former Liverpool forward has 67 goals in 116 apps for Egypt but during his career has only reached one World Cup with The Pharaohs.
He’s made just as many appearances as he has goals - two.
Can Salah help Egypt win their first World Cup game tonight?
Previous meetings
19:18 , Mike JonesBelgium and Egypt have faced each other four times with the African team coming out on top in three occassions.
They won the last meeting between the two nations having triumphed 2-1 four years ago in a friendly.
Can Egypt bring that form into the World Cup tonight?
Egypt's group stage fixtures
19:12 , Mike Jones15 June: Belgium vs Egypt - Seattle Stadium
21 June: New Zealand vs Egypt - BC Place Vancouver
26 June: Egypt vs IR Iran - Seattle Stadium
No longer a golden generation
19:06 , Mike Jones“For six years – maybe longer – Belgium topped the Fifa rankings,” Garcia said.
“The team dubbed the ‘golden generation’ were tipped as the frontrunners to win at both Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, but ultimately fell short on both occasions. The picture is very different these days. We’ll just be the underdogs, but I don’t mind that – in fact, I prefer it.
“We should fear nobody, that’s for sure. I’ve already told the players: we have to believe we can go toe-to-toe with any team.”
Garcia on Group G opponents
19:00 , Mike JonesMore from the Belgium boss who added: “We have a huge amount of respect for the other three sides in our group.
“This is what the World Cup is all about. We know Egypt well; they’re one of the best teams in Africa. I know all about Mo Salah as I coached him at Roma. We’re also up against a team from Oceania and one from Asia.
“We’re obviously less familiar with them as we don’t see them play as often, but we’re looking forward to finding out what the Iranian and New Zealand teams are made of.”
Egypt starting XI
18:55 , Mike JonesEgypt XI: Shoubir; Ibrahim, Hany, Fatouh; Ashour, Zico, Fathy, Lashin, Attia; Salah, Marmoush
Belgium's aims
18:54 , Mike JonesBelgium head coach, Rudi Garcia, spoke about what he hopes to achieve with the team in this World Cup.
“We need to distinguish between our objective and our ambition,” he said. “Our priority is to get through the group stage.
“Let’s come out on top so that we earn a more favourable draw and, ideally, stay put [in Seattle for the Round of 32]. That will be the objective!”
Belgium starting XI
18:54 , Mike JonesBelgium XI: Courtois; Mechele, Meunier, Castagne, Mgoy; De Bruyne, Tielemans, Onana; Trossard, Doku, De Ketelaere
The unwanted Premier League reality exposed by Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne’s World Cup showdown
18:48 , Richard JollyFor two ageing greats who contested an epic rivalry over years, the World Cup could provide a last duel. Not Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – or not definitely, anyway, given the number of results required to ensure that Portugal actually do meet Argentina in the Kansas City quarter-final – but Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah.
They have met in the Community Shield, the Champions League and the Carabao Cup but theirs is primarily a Premier League battle. Now for the north-west of the United States not the north-west of England.
The unwanted Premier League reality exposed by Belgium v Egypt at World Cup
Fans ready for World Cup clash
18:42 , Mike JonesThe supporters are making their way to Seattle Stadium for this World Cup clash.
Can Belgium get the win or will Egypt prove too strong?
Unbeaten qualifying
18:36 , Mike JonesBelgium stayed unbeaten across eight matches in qualifying — five wins and three draws — and it marked their third straight qualifying campaign without defeat.
A clean sweep in qualifying
18:30 , Mike JonesLed by coach Hossam Hassan, Egypt secured their spot at this World Cup by finishing top of Group A in the African qualifying tournament with eight wins and two draws from 10 matches.
Mo Salah found the net nine times to become the first African player to reach the landmark of 20 goals in World Cup qualifying.
How far can Belgium go?
18:24 , Mike JonesBelgium are gearing up for their 15th World Cup and a fourth straight appearance on the global game’s greatest stage.
The Red Devils will be out to emulate or better their exploits at the 2018 event in Russia, where they finished third having beaten England in the third-placed play-off.
One to look out for
18:18 , Mike JonesHamza Abdelkarim
Egypt only named three ‘forwards’ in their squad: Salah, Marmoush and 18-year-old Abdelkarim.
His career is highly unorthodox so far: FC Kuala Lumpur, Al Ahly, Barcelona Under-19s. Made his debut last month; tipped for big things.
Egypt's star man
18:12 , Mike JonesStill the star man despite a disappointing season at Liverpool, his last at Anfield.
Will be desperate to impose his creativity and goalscoring nous on the biggest stage.
How good will Egypt be?
18:06 , Mike JonesCould this be Mohamed Salah’s moment to dazzle at a World Cup?
In 2018, the Egypt captain cruelly had his time in Russia impacted by a shoulder injury sustained in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. He played, he even scored in both games he featured in, but did not star in a way that was fathomable if he was fully fit. Four years ago, Egypt did not qualify.
Yet their chances of progression to the knockout phase here are strong. They reached the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations earlier this year, narrowly losing to Senegal, and will play on the counter-attack with Salah and Omar Marmoush (the only other English-based player) speeding away. It’ll all be about whether they can keep it tight at the back.
One to look out for
18:00 , Mike JonesMatias Fernandez-Pardo
The 21-year-old forward, who has impressed for Lille this season, has endured an interesting year or so on the international front.
Last February, having represented Belgium at youth level, he switched allegiance to Spain and was called up to their under-21 and under-20 squads.
However, he did not play once and, last month, switched back to Belgium.
Belgium's star man
17:54 , Mike JonesJeremy Doku
After a breakout season with Manchester City, Doku has the opportunity to set this tournament alight early on.
Quick feet have been matched by a long-heralded end product for City, which has also included some scintillating finishes. The 24-year-old is, however, yet to score at a major tournament.
How are Belgium shaping up?
17:48 , Kieran JacksonHas the moment come and gone for Belgium’s golden generation? A squad that, despite much hype, failed to reach the final of a major tournament? Perhaps so.
There are still remnants of that squad which reached the semi-finals in 2018: Thibaut Courtois remains one of the world’s best goalkeepers, Kevin De Bruyne is no longer at his peak but is still a potential difference-maker in midfield and Romelu Lukaku is included in this squad despite barely playing all season amid an injury-hit campaign at Napoli.
However, they’ve been dealt a relatively kind hand with their group. In fact, their passage to the quarter-finals looks decent if they top the group. This year, expect Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard - Premier League title-rivalling wingers now on the same side - to be key cogs in Belgium’s attacking machine.
Iran and USA on a collision course?
17:42 , Kieran JacksonBelgium are the group favourites, but Egypt and Iran could battle it out for second place in the final match of the group which, somewhat bafflingly, is also the World Cup’s ‘Pride Match’ taking place on Seattle Pride weekend. Baffling, because both nations are traditionally anti-LGBTQ+.
And the biggest potential shock of them all? If Iran finish second and the USA finish second in Group D (scenarios which are not out of the realm of possibility), the countries at war will face each other in the round of 32 in Dallas on 3 July.
Group G guide
17:36 , Kieran JacksonOn paper, this group should not rattle many cages. Belgium should emerge as comfortable group winners, followed by one of Iran or Egypt, with the lowest-ranked team at this year’s World Cup, New Zealand, coming last. Yet the hard facts are that, frankly, this group will play host to the most significant early encounters at this summer’s tournament, amid an unprecedented scenario in international football.
For the first time in the World Cup’s 96-year history, a competing nation is participating despite being at war with a co-host. The conflict between Iran and the United States, which officially started in late February, shows no signs of relenting despite numerous peace talks and proposals. As such, Iran have moved their base to Mexico and their playing squad have only been given visas to the US (with two games in Los Angeles and one in Seattle) for the day of the game. Fly in, play, fly out.
How to watch Belgium vs Egypt
17:30 , Mike JonesBelgium versus Egypt is the first game from Group G and takes place at the Seattle Stadium over on the United States’ west coast.
The match kicks off at 8pm BST and will be broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom with coverage beginning at 7.30pm.
Good evening!
17:12 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s World Cup action as Belgium and Egypt clash in the Group G opener.
This is a encounter which should fascinate supporters and could determine which team finishes at the top of the group.
Group G also hosts Iran and New Zealand so these two teams are the favourites to progress at the top of the table.
Kevin de Bruyne and Mo Salah will face each other one more harking back to their clashes when they played for Man City and Liverpool respectively.
We’ll see how this all plays out when the game kicks off at 8pm.
