Belgium head into their FIFA World Cup Group G opener against Egypt in Seattle on Monday unbeaten in 13 matches, following a 5-0 win over Tunisia in Brussels in which five different players scored.

Since taking charge in January 2025, coach Rudi Garcia has overseen a notable turnaround after losing his first match in charge, later helping the team avoid relegation from UEFA Nations League A.

He then guided Belgium through an unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign, finishing top of their group with 29 goals scored, a tally only Norway surpassed in Europe with 37.

Key attacking roles and injury concerns

Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku has played a central role in Belgium’s attack, contributing to nearly a quarter of their qualifying goals with five scored and two assists, and also registering two assists against Tunisia.

His influence is expected to be important again, especially as Romelu Lukaku has been described as “out of shape” after a season disrupted by recurring muscular injuries and long spells on the sidelines.

Despite that, Lukaku remains Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer and is expected to be motivated at what could be one of his final major tournaments with the national side’s experienced core.

Last 5 Belgium matches stats

Egypt’s hopes built around Salah

Mohamed Salah may enter the tournament eager to respond after a difficult final season with Liverpool, where his 14 goal involvements in the league marked his lowest return since the 2014-15 campaign split between Chelsea and Fiorentina.

He will celebrate his 34th birthday on the day of the match and hopes to lead Egypt to their first-ever World Cup victory.

Salah was directly involved in 60% of Egypt’s goals during qualifying, scoring nine and assisting three in an unbeaten campaign, while head coach Hossam Hassan is expected to adopt a cautious approach, allowing both Salah and Omar Marmoush attacking freedom.

Egypt comes into the tournament without injury concerns after a 1-0 win over Russia and a 2-1 loss to Brazil in warm-up matches.

Last 5 Egypt matches stats

History between both sides and key statistics

This will be the first World Cup meeting between Belgium and Egypt, although they have faced each other four times in friendlies, with Egypt winning three of those matches compared to Belgium’s one.

Their most recent encounter came in November 2022 in Kuwait City, where Egypt won 2-1 thanks to goals from Mostafa Mohamed and Trezeguet.

Belgium has lost only once in five World Cup matches against African teams (W3 D1), with that defeat coming against Morocco in 2022.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is set to make his 16th World Cup appearance, drawing level with Jan Ceulemans and sitting just behind Enzo Scifo’s national record of 17.

Past H2H Results

Prediction and expected outcome

Belgium enter this World Cup Group G opener as clear favourites thanks to their strong recent form, long unbeaten run, and impressive attacking output during qualification. Rudi Garcia’s side have gone 13 matches without defeat, topped their qualifying group with 29 goals scored, and recently produced a 5-0 win over Tunisia with multiple players contributing on the scoresheet, underlining their depth and offensive variety.

Egypt, however, arrive with a dangerous edge built around Mohamed Salah, who remains central to everything they do in attack. Despite a mixed club campaign, he was directly involved in 60% of Egypt’s goals in qualifying and will be motivated to deliver a landmark result on his birthday. With Salah supported by players like Omar Marmoush, Egypt have enough threat in transition to punish any defensive lapses.

The most likely scenario is a controlled Belgian performance in terms of possession and territory, with Egypt sitting deeper and relying on counter-attacks to stay competitive. Belgium’s creativity through wide areas, especially Jeremy Doku, is expected to stretch Egypt’s defensive structure, but the match may remain tight if Egypt stay organised and disciplined for long periods.

Prediction: Belgium 2-1 Egypt

Expected outcome: A narrow Belgian victory where their superior squad depth and attacking consistency ultimately prove decisive, but not without resistance from Egypt. The Pharaohs are likely to remain competitive throughout, with Salah’s influence keeping them within reach, even if Belgium’s quality in the final third edges the result in their favour.