Belgium and Egypt Open World Cup Group B With 0-0 Draw in Seattle

Belgium and Egypt met on Monday night at Lumen Field in Seattle in the opening match of Group B at the 2026 World Cup. Both teams were looking for an early advantage before their later games against Iran and New Zealand.

Belgium arrived in North America on the back of strong qualifying and warm-up results, hoping to erase the disappointment of Qatar 2022. Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne started what is expected to be their last World Cup, with Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard meant to provide width and creativity. Zeno Debast was injured and left out of the squad.

Egypt returned to the World Cup after missing out four years ago and is relying heavily on Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. Salah, who has finished his Liverpool spell, is two goals away from matching the national-team scoring record of coach Hossam Hassan.

Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti kicked off the match in Seattle. Belgium was led by coach Rudi Garcia in a 4-3-3 formation, while Egypt lined up under Hossam Hassan in the same shape. The group standings were still level after the first game, with Iran, Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand all on 0 points and 0-0 goal difference. The next Group B fixtures begin on June 16, with Iran facing New Zealand in Inglewood, before Belgium meet Iran on June 21, New Zealand play Egypt in Vancouver on June 22, and the final round brings New Zealand-Belgium and Egypt-Iran on June 27 in Seattle.