Belgium vs Iran
Belgium and Iran settle for stalemate
A goalless draw defies expectations in a tight World Cup encounter
Belgium and Iran played out a 0-0 draw in a match that lacked the goals many anticipated. Despite Fipster's confident prediction of a Belgian win, the teams cancelled each other out, resulting in a share of the spoils. This unexpected deadlock highlights the unpredictability of the World Cup.
Analysis
As the group stage unfolds, Belgium and Iran face off in a match that promises a blend of skill and determination. Belgium, boasting a squad rich with top-tier European league talent, aims to leverage their experience against Iran's resilient side.
Belgium enters this match with 14 prior World Cup appearances and a best finish of third place in 2018. Iran, with six appearances, has yet to progress beyond the group stage. Belgium qualified directly, topping their group with an impressive goal difference, while Iran secured their spot through direct qualification as well.
Belgium's squad features 20 of 26 players in top-5 European leagues, including stars like Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli and Timothy Castagne of Fulham, giving them a clear quality edge over Iran, whose players mainly compete in the Persian Gulf Pro League. Belgium's recent form, averaging over two points per game, further strengthens their position. Iran's key player, Mohammad Mohebi, has shown promise with a goal in their opening match, and defender Ramin Rezaeian's offensive contributions pose a threat. However, Belgium's midfield creativity and defensive solidity are expected to prevail.
Prediction
Expect Belgium to take an early lead, going into halftime 1-0 up. Iran will respond, making it a competitive second half, but Belgium's quality should secure a 2-1 victory. The match is likely to see around four cards, reflecting the competitive nature of group stage encounters.
Outcome probability
Key Insights
Belgium's midfield creativity vs Iran's defense
Belgium's De Bruyne and Tielemans provide high passing accuracy and creativity, likely to exploit Iran's defensive gaps.
Iran's Ramin Rezaeian offensive impact
Rezaeian's goal and assist in last match show his dual threat from defense, posing a challenge for Belgium's backline.
Belgium's positive scoring streak at home
Belgium scored in their last home match and maintain a positive scoring streak, supporting predicted 2 goals.
No key injuries reported for either team
Both teams have full squads available, ensuring tactical plans can be executed without disruption.
Key Takeaways
This fixture highlights the classic clash of a high-calibre European side against a determined Asian team. Belgium's depth and form give them the edge, but Iran's resilience ensures it won't be a stroll in the park. Fans can anticipate a closely fought contest with Belgium just shading it.
- Belgium has 14 prior World Cup appearances with a best finish of third place in 2018.
- Iran has appeared in 6 World Cups but has never progressed beyond the group stage.
- Belgium qualified directly, topping their qualifying group with 18 points and a +22 goal difference.
- Belgium's squad includes 20 players from top-5 European leagues, including Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) and Timothy Castagne (Fulham).
- Iran's squad has no players in top-5 European leagues, mostly from the Persian Gulf Pro League.
- Belgium's recent form yields 2.143 points per game over the last 12 months, compared to Iran's 1 point per game.
- The match is in the group stage matchday 2 phase of the 2026 World Cup.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Belgium
Away — Iran
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
FIFA world ranking
Lukaku
Yellow Card
Goal Disallowed - offside
Ezatolahi
Yellow Card
Hardani
Meunier
Saelemaekers
Raskin
Mohebi
Ngoy
Red Card
Hajisafi
Lukaku
Ghoddos
Ezatolahi
De Bruyne
Match Statistics
Belgium
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 1T. CourtoisG
- 4B. MecheleD
- 5M. De CuyperD
- 7K. De BruyneM
- 8Y. TielemansM
- 9R. LukakuF
- 10L. TrossardM
- 15T. MeunierD
- 22A. SaelemaekersM
- 23N. RaskinM
- 25N. NgoyD
Substitutes
- 3A. TheateD
- 6A. WitselM
- 12S. LammensG
- 13M. PendersG
- 14D. LukebakioF
- 16K. De WinterD
- 17C. De KetelaereF
- 18J. SeysD
- 19Diego MoreiraF
- 20H. VanakenM
- 21T. CastagneD
- 24A. OnanaM
- 26M. Fernandez-PardoF
Iran
5-4-1Starting XI
- 1A. BeiranvandG
- 2Saleh HardaniD
- 3E. HajisafiD
- 4S. KhalilzadehD
- 6S. EzatolahiM
- 8M. MohebiM
- 9M. TaremiF
- 13H. KananiD
- 14S. GhoddosM
- 19A. NematiD
- 23R. RezaeianM
Substitutes
- 5M. MohammadiD
- 7A. JahanbakhshF
- 10M. GhaediF
- 11A. AlipourF
- 12P. NiazmandG
- 15R. CheshmiM
- 16M. TorabiM
- 17A. YousefiD
- 18A. HosseinzadehF
- 20S. MoghanlouF
- 21M. GhorbaniM
- 22H. HosseiniG
- 24D. Eckert AyensaF
- 25D. EiriD
- 26A. RazzaghiniaM
Belgium
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leandro Trossard | M | 94 | 8.2 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 3/4 |
| Thibaut Courtois | G | 94 | 7.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Youri Tielemans(C) | M | 94 | 7.3 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0/1 |
| Brandon Mechele | D | 94 | 7.3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Kevin De Bruyne | M | 87 | 7.2 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2/3 |
| Nicolas Raskin | M | 58 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Maxim De Cuyper | D | 94 | 7.2 | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | 1/1 |
| Nathan Ngoy | D | 66 | 6.9 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Alexis Saelemaekers | M | 58 | 6.7 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2/5 |
| Thomas Meunier | D | 58 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Romelu Lukaku | F | 73 | 5.6 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/2 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Axel Witsel | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Diego Moreira | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Matías Fernández-Pardo | F | 7 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2/2 |
| Mike Penders | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Joaquin Seys | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Charles De Ketelaere | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Koni De Winter | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Senne Lammens | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Amadou Onana | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Timothy Castagne | D | 36 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
| Dodi Lukebakio | F | 36 | 6.9 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Arthur Theate | D | 21 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Hans Vanaken | M | 36 | 6.6 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1/1 |
Iran
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alireza Beiranvand | G | 94 | 9.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Shoja Khalilzadeh | D | 94 | 8.5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Hossein Kanaani | D | 94 | 7.2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Saman Ghoddos | M | 79 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ali Nemati | D | 94 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Saeid Ezatolahi | M | 85 | 6.6 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — |
| Ramin Rezaeian | M | 94 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
| Mehdi Taremi | F | 94 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0/2 |
| Mohammad Mohebi | M | 66 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Saleh Hardani | D | 45 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Ehsan Hajsafi(C) | D | 66 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Payam Niazmand | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Roozbeh Cheshmi | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mehdi Ghayedi | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Hossein Hosseini | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ali Alipour | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dennis Eckert Ayensa | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Aria Yousefi | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mohammad Ghorbani | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Danial Eiri | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Amirmohammad Razzaghinia | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mahdi Torabi | M | 28 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Milad Mohammadi | D | 28 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Shahriar Moghanlou | F | 15 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh | F | 9 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Alireza Jahanbakhsh | F | 49 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1/1 |