World Cup 2026: Pressure on Belgium as Egypt Seek ‘Firsts’

Belgium vs Egypt

The chances are this will be the final ever World Cup for a trio of brilliant Belgians.

I am talking about Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois.

International football’s Red Devils know the era of their supposed “Golden Generation” has long been over but this summer provides them with a one last chance to distance themselves from the tag of ‘neatly men’

That actually is very harsh, given they finished third at the 2018 World Cup (all three have enjoyed successful club careers).

There remains, though, a feeling of unfulfilled potential on the international stage and, following a last-16 exit to France at Euro 2024, manager Rudi Garcia will place great stock in them delivering World Cup 2026 highlights.

 

Talking Points

Garcia will know now that, with the exception of Courtois, Belgium lack the spine they once had when the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen formed a barrier in front of the Real Madrid custodian.

As a result, the best form of defence is in attack where De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Lukaku can be a constant danger.

The main concern surrounds Lukaku who, due to a bad run of injuries, played little more than an hour for Napoli in the recently concluded season.

His country’s all time top scorer with 90 goals, Lukaku has recently lost his father and understandably may need time to regain his passion (and match fitness), although coming off the bench and scoring in a 2-0 friendly win against Croatia in midweek shows that the desire is still there to match is undeniable goalscoring talent.

Perhaps the fact no-one really suspects the Belgians are genuine contenders for the trophy this time around will help.

By contrast, after missing out four years ago, Egypt aren’t among the frontrunners, although they were unbeaten in qualifying and even booked their ticket to North America with a game to spare.

They scored 19 goals in nine matches as tallisman Mohamed Salah led the way with nine, conceded just two goals and kept seven clean sheets.

Despite those impressive numbers, Egypt’s shape is pragmatic more than romantic but that may help this summer as the Pharaohs, led by head coach Hossam Hassan (a player at Italia 90), bid to win a match for the first time in the competition and also seek to progress to the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

They have only ever reached the tournament on three previous occasions – 1934, 1990 and 2018 – and their form over the past six months paints the picture of a defensively solid side that can grind out results against top-level opposition.

A 0-0 friendly draw with Spain was a fine result and their recent AFCON campaign had its moments, including victory against the Ivory Coast.

A recent 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, albeit only a friendly, provided a confidence lift, although Belgium will naturally represent a level above.

This seems to be a group where there’s no clear second-best team after Belgium so it could be Egypt’s moment.

 

History

This is a fixture which has only played on four occasions, not once competitively in a tournament until now.

In the spring of 1999 in Liege, Hazem Imam netted the only goal for the Egyptians.

In Cairo six years later, it was even one more-sided as Egypt rattled in four goals without reply, Emad Moteab (two), Ahmed Eid and Osama Hosni on target.

By the time they met in 2018 in a warm-up for the World Cup, Belgium had a string of household names and emerged 3-0 winners with Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Marouane Fellaini – all then plying their trade in the Premier League – the goal-getters.

Belgium would go onto clinch third place in the tournament, their high spot coming in a thrilling quarter-final victory over Brazil.

Theor most recent meeting was a friendly in November 2022 in Kuwait, won 2-1 by the Egyptians.

Mostafa Mohamed and Trezeguet put Egypt in the ascendancy before Loise Openda reduced the arrears with 14 minutes remaining.

 

Betting Tip

It is possible that the heat could help Egypt the more the game goes on. But will the Belgians really be affected physically?

If our SBOTOP World Cup 2026 betting odds have taken that into consideration, it’s not showing.

That is because they are priced 1X2 @ 1.67 and Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.23, which contrasts with the Africans who are on offer 1X2 @ 5.20 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.29.

The draw will pay out @ 3.70 and a re-run of their most recent clash is up for grabs @ 18.00 with Correct Score 1-2.

I think this will be tight and have been tempted by total goal 0-1 @ 2.90, as well as over 2.75 goals @ 2.33.

While I expect this to be close, Belgium should have the edge and my ** tip is Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 4.54.

   

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