Egypt leads the Group G standings after two matches, but the group is still open entering tonight’s final window. Egypt, Iran, Belgium and New Zealand all still have a path to advance, and the two matches start at 11 p.m. ET.
Egypt can still finish anywhere
Egypt can clinch first place with a win over Iran. A draw guarantees at least second place and likely first place, but a loss would not shut the door on advancement. If Belgium beats New Zealand and Egypt loses to Iran, Egypt would drop to third on four points.
That is the sharpest twist in the group. Egypt can lead after two matches and still be dragged down to third if the wrong result lands in the other game, because the final standings are being decided across both matches at the same time.
Iran and Belgium chase second
Iran advances automatically with a win over Egypt. A draw gives Iran three points and leaves its fate tied to New Zealand-Belgium, while a loss leaves it on two points and likely out. If Belgium wins, Iran finishes third. If Belgium draws, Iran and Belgium are level on points and the second-place spot goes to tiebreakers.
Belgium has the same split path. A win over New Zealand sends it through automatically. A draw is enough for second place if Egypt beat Iran, but if Iran beats Egypt, Belgium would finish third on three points and its survival would depend on the top eight third-place teams. A loss leaves Belgium on two points and almost certainly ends its run.
New Zealand needs a win
New Zealand need a win. If New Zealand beat Belgium, it finishes second if Egypt draw or beat Iran. If New Zealand wins but Iran beats Egypt, New Zealand finishes third on four points because Egypt holds the head-to-head edge over New Zealand, and its advancement would then ride on the third-place standings at the end of matchday 3.
A draw or loss almost certainly eliminates New Zealand. Both Group G matches kick off simultaneously at 11 p.m. ET, and the games air live on FOX and FS1, streaming on FOX One. That setup leaves the standings to sort themselves out in real time, with first place, second place and even third-place survival still in play when the final whistle goes.
