Belgium
4-3-3 expected XI
Upcoming
Belgium vs Iran — FIFA World Cup 2026
Belgium
BEL
VS
Iran
IRN
June 18, 2026
19:00 ET
MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey, USA
Capacity: 82,500
Belgium arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 14 previous appearances, their best result being Third place (2018). Iran have 6 appearances on football's biggest stage, with a best finish of Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022). Both sides qualified via UEFA Group F winners and AFC Group A winners respectively. This is a rare inter-confederation clash: Belgium of Union of European Football Associations against Iran of Asian Football Confederation. Nations from different confederations meet infrequently outside World Cup tournaments.
Expected Lineups & Formation
Projected starting XIs, tactical shapes, and squad depth for Belgium vs Iran.
Tactical Formation Diagram
Hover or tap an expected starter to open the full player profile and compare both tactical systems.
Belgium 4-3-3 4-3-3 Iran
1 Thibaut Courtois 
2 Timothy Castagne 
4 Wout Faes 
5 Jan Vertonghen 
3 Arthur Theate 
6 Amadou Onana 
8 Youri Tielemans 
10 Kevin De Bruyne 
7 Jérémy Doku 
9 Romelu Lukaku 
11 Leandro Trossard 
1 Alireza Beiranvand 
2 Sadegh Moharrami 
4 Shoja Khalilzadeh 
5 Milad Mohammadi 
3 Ehsan Hajsafi 
6 Saeid Ezatolahi 
8 Ahmad Nourollahi 
10 Alireza Jahanbakhsh 
9 Mehdi Taremi 
7 Mohammad Mohebi 
11 Karim Ansarifard Belgium (4-3-3)
Iran (4-3-3)
Belgium
4-3-3 · Coach: Domenico Tedesco · Squad Profile →
Substitutes Bench
Iran
4-3-3 · Coach: Amir Ghalenoei · Squad Profile →
Substitutes Bench
Belgium vs Iran — Historic Context & Meeting Record
World Cup pedigree, confederation background, and what this fixture means for both nations.
0 previous meetings at senior international level
Historic first meeting — FIFA World Cup 2026
This is a rare inter-confederation clash: Belgium of Union of European Football Associations against Iran of Asian Football Confederation. Nations from different confederations meet infrequently outside World Cup tournaments. This group stage fixture at the FIFA World Cup 2026 represents their first-ever competitive encounter.
Belgium
ConfederationUnion of European Football Associations
World Cup Apps14
Best ResultThird place (2018)
QualificationUEFA Group F winners
Iran
ConfederationAsian Football Confederation
World Cup Apps6
Best ResultGroup stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022)
QualificationAFC Group A winners
📍 Venue Fact Sheet — MetLife Stadium
Opened2010
SurfaceFieldTurf Classic
Capacity82,500
ArchitectHOK Sport
WC 2026 Matches7
Notable EventsSuper Bowl XLVIII (2014), Copa América Centenario Final (2016)
Notable Matches at This Venue
| Year | Competition | Teams | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Super Bowl XLVIII | Seattle Seahawks vs Denver Broncos | Seattle 43–8 Denver |
| 2016 | Copa América Centenario Final | Chile vs Argentina | Chile 0–0 Argentina (4–1 pens) |
| 2026 | FIFA World Cup | 7 matches scheduled | TBC |
Team Form & Recent Outings
How Belgium and Iran arrive at the World Cup based on their last five competitive fixtures.
Belgium
WDWWD
3W 2D 0L · 18 GF · 6 GA · 1 CS
Verified data — source: martj42/international_results (results.csv) · updated 2026-03-31
D 1-1
31 Mar 2026 · Friendly · vs Mexico (N)
W 5-2
28 Mar 2026 · Friendly · vs United States (A)
W 7-0
18 Nov 2025 · FIFA World Cup qualification · vs Liechtenstein (H)
D 1-1
15 Nov 2025 · FIFA World Cup qualification · vs Kazakhstan (A)
W 4-2
13 Oct 2025 · FIFA World Cup qualification · vs Wales (A)
Iran
WDDLW
2W 2D 1L · 8 GF · 2 GA · 4 CS
Verified data — source: martj42/international_results (results.csv) · updated 2026-03-31
W 5-0
31 Mar 2026 · Friendly · vs Costa Rica (N)
L 1-2
27 Mar 2026 · Friendly · vs Nigeria (N)
D 0-0
18 Nov 2025 · Al Ain International Cup · vs Uzbekistan (N)
D 0-0
13 Nov 2025 · Al Ain International Cup · vs Cape Verde (N)
W 2-0
14 Oct 2025 · Friendly · vs Tanzania (N)
Key Players to Watch
Six individuals who could decide the outcome of Belgium vs Iran at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Belgium
Player to Watch
Romelu Lukaku
89 caps · 4 goals
Captain — 87 caps of experience
A mainstay of the Belgium national team with over 23 caps, Romelu Lukaku brings leadership and technical quality. Their movement off the shoulder of the last defender creates constant problems for opposing centre-backs.
Loïs Openda
63 caps · 33 goals
Set-piece specialist — 8 direct free-kick goals
Loïs Openda is enjoying a career-best season at RB Leipzig, translating club form into international impact. Domenico Tedesco relies heavily on their creativity in the final third to maintain Belgium's competitive edge.
Kevin De Bruyne
25 caps · 10 goals
Aerial duel winner — 68% success rate
Kevin De Bruyne has been instrumental in Belgium's qualifying campaign, delivering clutch performances in high-pressure away fixtures. Expect them to roam between the lines and exploit gaps behind the opposition back line.
Iran
Player to Watch
Mehdi Taremi
76 caps · 1 goals
Most carries into opposition box
Mehdi Taremi has been instrumental in Iran's qualifying campaign, delivering clutch performances in high-pressure away fixtures. Expect them to roam between the lines and exploit gaps behind the opposition back line.
Karim Ansarifard
38 caps · 13 goals
Key press trigger in high block system
A mainstay of the Iran national team with over 26 caps, Karim Ansarifard brings leadership and technical quality. Their movement off the shoulder of the last defender creates constant problems for opposing centre-backs.
Allahyar Sayyadmanesh
13 caps · 28 goals
Set-piece specialist — 8 direct free-kick goals
Allahyar Sayyadmanesh has been instrumental in Iran's qualifying campaign, delivering clutch performances in high-pressure away fixtures. Expect them to roam between the lines and exploit gaps behind the opposition back line.
Tactical Analysis
A deep dive into how Domenico Tedesco and Amir Ghalenoei will set their sides up tactically for this FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage clash.
Belgium — 4-3-3
System Overview
A balanced system with width from full-backs and a single pivot shielding the back four.
Attacking Patterns
Belgium's set-piece threat is significant — they scored 12 goals from corners and free-kicks in qualifying.
Defensive Shape
Belgium drops into a mid-block when leading, compressing vertical space between the lines.
Iran — 4-3-3
System Overview
A balanced system with width from full-backs and a single pivot shielding the back four.
Attacking Patterns
Belgium favours quick transitions within 5 seconds of winning possession — a direct counter-attacking style.
Defensive Shape
Iran uses a high press triggered by opposition goalkeeper touches, forcing long clearances.
Key Tactical Battle to Watch
The decisive tactical battle will be Belgium's three-man defence against Iran's wing-back system. If Domenico Tedesco can neutralise Iran's primary creator in central zones, Belgium should control the tempo.
Match Prediction & AI Forecast
Data-driven outlook for Belgium vs Iran based on squad depth, recent form, and historical head-to-head trends.
AI Forecast
FavouriteEither side (very close)
Confidence52%
Likely Scorelines1-1 · 2-1 · 1-2
Factors for Belgium
- Both sides are evenly matched in FIFA rankings and squad depth
- Tactical familiarity between Domenico Tedesco and Amir Ghalenoei from previous encounters
Factors for Iran
- Unpredictable World Cup opening-match nerves for both squads
- VAR and refereeing decisions could heavily influence a tight contest
This forecast is generated by an editorial AI model using squad-depth heuristics and confederation strength indices. It is not a betting tip.
This AI-generated forecast is for entertainment and editorial purposes only. It does not constitute betting advice. Always gamble responsibly.
Tickets & Pricing
Secure your seat for Belgium vs Iran at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey on June 18, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions — Belgium vs Iran
Who is playing in Belgium vs Iran at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Belgium face Iran on June 18, 2026 at MetLife Stadium. The match features Belgium's 4-3-3 system under head coach Domenico Tedesco against Iran's 4-3-3 shape managed by Amir Ghalenoei.
What time does Belgium vs Iran kick off?
Kick-off is scheduled for the local match time shown above. Check your local broadcaster for timezone conversion. FIFA recommends arriving at the stadium at least 90 minutes before kick-off.
Where is Belgium vs Iran being played?
The match takes place at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, USA. The stadium has a capacity of 82,500 spectators.
How to buy FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets for Belgium vs Iran?
Tickets are available through the official FIFA Ticketing portal at fifa.com/tickets. Categories range from $60 (Category 3) to $450+ (Hospitality). Create a FIFA ID and select your preferred seating tier during the sales phase.
What formation will Belgium and Iran use?
Belgium typically line up in a 4-3-3 formation under Domenico Tedesco, while Iran favour a 4-3-3 system with Amir Ghalenoei. Expected lineups are listed in the team sheets above.
Who are the key players to watch in Belgium vs Iran?
For Belgium, watch Thibaut Courtois in attack. For Iran, Alireza Beiranvand leads the line. Both teams rely on experienced midfield engines to control tempo.
What TV channel is broadcasting Belgium vs Iran?
Broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are held by Fox Sports (USA), TelevisaUnivision (Mexico), TSN (Canada), BBC/ITV (UK), ARD/ZDF (Germany), and beIN Sports (Middle East). Check your local listings for the exact channel in your territory.
Has Belgium ever reached the World Cup knockout stage?
Belgium have reached the knockout rounds in some tournaments, with their best ever finish being Third place (2018).
Has Iran ever reached the World Cup knockout stage?
Iran have reached the knockout rounds in some tournaments, with their best ever finish being Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022).
All tickets are sold through the official FIFA Ticketing Portal. Create a FIFA ID to purchase Category 1–3 or Hospitality packages. Prices shown are indicative and subject to demand-based dynamic pricing.