Belgium face Iran in a Group G fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday 21 June 2026. The Red Devils meet Team Melli at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in one of the opening round’s most intriguing matchups.
What is the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd edition of the men’s tournament and the first to feature 48 teams. The format consists of 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed sides progressing to a round of 32. The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
When is Iran vs Belgium?
The match kicks off on Sunday 21 June 2026 at noon Pacific Time in Inglewood, which is 8pm in the United Kingdom. It forms part of a weekend packed with Group G and Group H opening fixtures.
Where is Iran vs Belgium?
The game is played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California. Opened in 2020, the 70,000-capacity stadium is home to the NFL’s Rams and Chargers and features a distinctive translucent canopy roof. It is one of the centrepiece venues of the 2026 tournament, hosting eight matches across the group and knockout rounds.
Key Contenders
Belgium enter the tournament aiming to rebuild after a disappointing 2022 campaign marked the end of their so-called golden generation. Kevin De Bruyne remains a key figure, with Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois alongside younger talents such as Arthur Vermeeren.
Iran qualify comfortably from Asia and arrive as one of the continent’s most consistent teams. Mehdi Taremi leads the line, supported by Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Jahanbakhsh, with a squad that has reached six of the last seven World Cups but never progressed past the group stage.
How to Watch
BBC and ITV share UK coverage of the 2026 World Cup with streams on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Fox Sports carries the English-language broadcast in the United States via Fox and FS1, while Telemundo and Peacock cover the match in Spanish. Canadian viewers can watch on CTV, TSN and RDS, and FIFA+ offers selected live streams and highlights globally.
History and Records
Belgium and Iran met once at a previous World Cup, drawing 1-1 in the group stage of the 1998 tournament in France. Belgium’s best World Cup finish was third place in 2018; Iran have never progressed beyond the group stage despite multiple appearances since their debut in 1978.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are sold exclusively via FIFA.com and the official FIFA Ticketing platform. Phased sales windows have covered individual match, venue series and team series packages. FIFA operates an official resale platform for fans unable to attend.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Iran vs Belgium kick off?
Sunday 21 June 2026, noon Pacific Time (8pm UK time).
Where is the match being held?
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California, USA.
How can I watch Iran vs Belgium?
BBC or ITV in the UK, Fox or Telemundo in the US, CTV/TSN in Canada, and FIFA+ internationally.
Have these sides met at a World Cup before?
Yes, they drew 1-1 in the group stage of the 1998 World Cup in France.