- Home form: Belgium have won 3 of their last 4 home games, drawing the other, while conceding just 0.75 goals per game on average.
- Away form: Egypt have won 1, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 4 away games, scoring 1.00 and conceding only 0.25 goals per game.
- Overall run: Belgium are unbeaten in their last 10 (Won 7, Drawn 3) in all competitions.
A World Cup clash in Seattle
Rudi Garcia's Belgium will take on Hossam Hassan's Egypt in the opening round of Group G fixtures in Seattle on Monday, a match that will set the tone for both teams in their expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Belgium setup
Garcia's Red Devils are built on structure and possession, with a touch of flair and flexibility since the experienced French coach took over in January 2025. They're a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 side, in which the focus is on wide overloads, possession and high pressing to control the tempo and territory. Kevin De Bruyne is the engine of the team, Romelu Lukaku is the main goal threat and Jeremy Doku's pace and dribbling are their wildcard.
Egypt setup
Hassan's Pharaohs are a more compact 4-2-3-1 side, with a low or mid block on defence and a talent for explosive transitions led by Mohamed Salah. Marmoush plays alongside Salah in attack, providing even more pace, power and eye for goal when on the ball, while Mohamed Elneny is the anchor in midfield, providing a bit of steel and a lot of experience to a side that will often sit deep.
Tactical chess between Garcia and Hassan
Egypt's recent form is a little patchy (Won 2, Drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 5), but they did hold Spain to a 0-0 away and narrowly beat Russia 1-0 at home. Belgium are a step up in class, however, so it's difficult to see anything but a disciplined but dangerous Egypt side being edged by the Red Devils, who are in a much better spell of form and boast the home advantage.
- Belgium are the clear favorites here at 1.72, while Egypt are priced at 5.3 and the draw at 3.88.
- However, we think both teams to score at 1.92 is a good way to get on board as long as you are aware that Belgium are the superior side and have home advantage.
- The 2-1 win for Egypt 3 years ago in the reverse fixture will make this clash interesting too, but with Salah reuniting with Garcia another subplot.
