New Zealand vs Belgium preview
2026 World Cup, World
Vancouver Stadium
Today - 3:00 AM
World Cup
New Zealand
NZL
Belgium
BEL
KICKOFF :
Today - 3:00 AM
Round 3 ·
Group Stage
STANDINGS
Loading standings...
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| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|
| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|
| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|
Promotion
Promotion Playoffs
Relegation
Data last checked: Jun 27
CONTEXT
New Zealand prepare to face Belgium in a World Cup group stage encounter at Vancouver Stadium during the 2026 season. Belgium arrive with a clear power advantage of 13 points and hold the stronger overall rating at 25.18 against New Zealand's 12.22. The visitors also lead in recent form metrics with a score of 16.67 compared to the hosts' 5.5. League positions show New Zealand in fourth place and Belgium third among domestic rankings. Set piece evaluations depend on proxy information given the absence of detailed xG figures. Both sides will look to exploit transitions and efficiency areas where data remains limited. This fixture highlights contrasting squad strengths and structural profiles ahead of the contest.
TL;DR
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Structural: Belgium hold a 13-point power advantage and are designated the stronger team with a rating of 25.18 to New Zealand's 12.22.
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Form: Belgium lead in form with a score of 16.67 while New Zealand register 5.5 ahead of the group stage match.
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Squad: New Zealand occupy fourth position and Belgium sit third according to domestic league standings.
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Efficiency: Efficiency data is unavailable for both teams in this fixture.
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Transition: Transition metrics are not provided for either side entering the match.
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Set pieces: Set piece analysis uses proxy data with low confidence as xG details remain unavailable.
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xVariable: Belgium are the stronger side by power metrics in this World Cup group stage meeting.
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Market: New Zealand 7.2% (Δ+0%) | Draw 13% (Δ+0%) | Belgium 79.9% (Δ+0%).
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)
Quality vs Volume
Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11
Open Play vs Set Play
Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%
Expected Points
| Team | xPts |
|---|---|
| Home | 1.8 |
| Away | 1.2 |
ℹ️
Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
Jan 25
vs Team A
Feb 1
vs Team B
Feb 8
vs Team C
D. Bazeley
VS
R. Garcia
0.5
Avg Points / Game
(Last 100 Matches)
1
0.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
Egypt
Rank:
L
Iran
Rank:
D
Avg Points / Game
(Last 6 Matches)
1 i
Last 6 Opponents
Iran
Rank:
D
Egypt
Rank:
D
0
Head to Head
(Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 0 - 0
0
No sidelined player data available.
Win Probabilities
Live Win Probability (90 Min)
New Zealand
7.2%
Draw
12.95%
Belgium
79.85%
Team Power Ranking
iWhat is Power Ranking?
Power score: composite of opponent-weighted form (last 6 & 20 games) and league position over last 3 seasons.
12.22
25.18
0 (Weakest)
100 (Strongest)
Metric
New Zealand
Belgium
Power Score
12.22
25.18
League Position
4
3
Global Rank
85
9
Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted
Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.
–
vs
New Zealand
—
Opponent-weighted form score
Belgium
—
Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts)
Draw (1 pt)
Loss (0 pts)
New Zealand Belgium
Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons
Summary of 0 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.
New Zealand
NZL
Home
0
matches
Belgium
BEL
Away
Match Record
0
Wins
0
0
Draws
0
0
Losses
0
Goals
0
Goals Scored
0
0
Goals Conceded
0
0
Goal Difference
0
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0
Data last updated: 2026-06-26T00:01:53+00:00
STARTING XI
Match Formation
4-2-3-1
Match Formation
4-2-3-1
1 M. Crocombe
2 T. Payne
16 F. Surman
5 M. Boxall
13 L. Cacace
6 J. Bell
8 M. Stamenic
20 C. McCowatt
10 S. Singh
11 E. Just
9 C. Wood
1 T. Courtois
5 M. De Cuyper
4 B. Mechele
16 K. De Winter
15 T. Meunier
8 Y. Tielemans
23 N. Raskin
10 L. Trossard
7 K. De Bruyne
22 A. Saelemaekers
9 R. Lukaku Menama
General Information
Date & Time
Jun 27, 2026, 03:00 AM
Competition
2026 World Cup, World · Round 3 · Group Stage
Stadium
Vancouver Stadium
Capacity
54500
Pitch Surface
Artificial turf
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Adham Mohammad Tumah Makhadmeh
Mohammad Mustafa Hassan Al Kalaf
Ahmad Moannes Nadi Al Roalle
Kevin Ortega
Lineup
Referee :
Adham Mohammad Tumah Makhadmeh
Manager ▼
D. Bazeley
Coach
Starting XI ▼
1
Max Crocombe
Goalkeeper
6.45 2
Tim Payne
Defender
6.59 5
Michael Boxall
Defender
6.39 13
Liberato Cacace
Defender
6.58 16
Finn Surman
Defender
7.44 6
Joe Bell
Midfielder
6.78 8
Marko Stamenić
Midfielder
6.88 10
Sarpreet Singh
Midfielder
6.48 9
Chris Wood
Attacker
7.2 11
Elijah Just
Attacker
7.4 20
Callum McCowatt
Attacker
6.71
Referee :
Adham Mohammad Tumah Makhadmeh
Manager ▼
R. Garcia
Coach
Starting XI ▼
1
Thibaut Courtois
Goalkeeper
6.92 4
Brandon Mechele
Defender
7.25 5
Maxim De Cuyper
Defender
7.17 15
Thomas Meunier
Defender
6.69 16
Koni De Winter
Defender
6.93 7
Kevin De Bruyne
Midfielder
7.35 8
Youri Tielemans
Midfielder
7.67 23
Nicolas Raskin
Midfielder
6.83 9
Romelu Lukaku
Attacker
6.23 10
Leandro Trossard
Attacker
7.28 22
Alexis Saelemaekers
Attacker
6.52 CONCLUSION
Belgium are expected to control proceedings given their superior power rating and form edge over New Zealand. The visitors will aim to capitalise on structural strengths while the hosts seek to remain compact and limit opportunities. Squad depth and league positioning suggest Belgium hold the initiative in most phases. Areas such as efficiency and transitions lack detailed insight yet could influence outcomes if patterns emerge during play. Set piece situations warrant attention despite reliance on proxy assessments. Overall the contest presents a test of organisation against technical quality at Vancouver Stadium. Both teams enter with distinct profiles that promise a competitive group stage opener.
