New Zealand vs Belgium FIFA WC 2026: Kick-off time, live streaming, squads
Synopsis
Belgium's golden generation — De Bruyne, Doku, Lukaku — has yet to fire at FIFA World Cup 2026, and Saturday's Group G clash against New Zealand in Vancouver is effectively their last chance. Two draws, zero wins, and a physical All Whites side waiting: this is the match that could end Belgium's tournament before it truly began.
Key Takeaways
New Zealand vs Belgium kicks off at 8:30 AM IST on Saturday, 28 June 2026 at BC Place, Vancouver .
Both sides have failed to win in their opening two Group G matches and need victory to keep round-of-32 hopes alive.
Belgium have drawn against Egypt and Iran ; New Zealand drew with Iran and lost to Egypt .
Live streaming available on Zee5 (subscription required); live telecast on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 , and Unite8 Sports 2 HD in India.
Referee for the match: Adham Makhadmeh .
New Zealand and Belgium clash in a must-win FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G fixture at BC Place, Vancouver on Saturday, 28 June, with kick-off set for 8:30 AM IST. Both sides enter the match under serious qualification pressure, knowing that anything less than three points could end their round-of-32 ambitions.
What Is at Stake
Belgium arrive at this fixture having drawn both their opening Group G matches — against Egypt and Iran — leaving them without a win and short on goals. New Zealand are in an even tighter spot: one point from two games, following a draw with Iran and a defeat to Egypt. A loss for either side would leave them relying on other results to stay alive in the tournament, making this effectively a knockout contest for both.
Belgium's Attacking Question Mark
Belgium's experienced squad has struggled to convert possession into goals in the early rounds. Key players including Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku, and Charles De Ketelaere are expected to spearhead a more clinical effort against New Zealand. Romelu Lukaku leads the forward line and will be central to Belgium's hopes of finally finding the net with consistency.
New Zealand's Game Plan
New Zealand are likely to adopt a physical, high-energy approach to disrupt Belgium's rhythm and deny them space in behind. Chris Wood remains the All Whites' primary attacking outlet, and the side will look to capitalise on set-pieces and transitions. Their resilience — evidenced by the point earned against Iran — suggests they will not be easy to break down.
How to Watch Live in India
Indian viewers can catch the match via live streaming on Zee5 (platform and app), with a subscription required. Live telecast is available on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels.
Match Details and Full Squads
Date and kick-off: Saturday, 28 June 2026, 8:30 AM IST
Venue: BC Place, Vancouver
Referee: Adham Makhadmeh
Belgium Squad —
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Senne Lammens, Mike Penders
Defenders: Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Maxim De Cuyper, Koni De Winter, Brandon Mechele, Thomas Meunier, Nathan Ngoy, Joaquin Seys, Arthur Theate
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Axel Witsel
Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere, Jérémy Doku, Matías Fernández-Pardo, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Diego Moreira, Alexis Saelemaekers, Leandro Trossard
New Zealand Squad —
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud
Defenders: Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Liberato Cacace, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot, Tim Payne, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Finn Surman
Midfielders: Lachlan Bayliss, Joe Bell, Eli Just, Callum McCowatt, Ben Old, Alex Rufer, Marko Stamenic, Sarpreet Singh, Ryan Thomas
Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Jesse Randall, Ben Waine, Chris Wood, Logan Rogerson
With both nations facing elimination, Saturday's fixture at BC Place is set to be one of the most fiercely contested Group G encounters of the tournament.
Point of View
Lukaku, and Doku on paper should be dismantling Group G opposition — in practice, they have not scored enough to win a single game. New Zealand, meanwhile, are not here to make up numbers: a point against Iran showed defensive organisation that Belgium's attack has so far failed to unlock. If Belgium cannot convert against a side ranked well below them, questions about Roberto Martinez's successor and the squad's twilight cycle will only grow louder.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the New Zealand vs Belgium FIFA World Cup 2026 match?
The match takes place on Saturday, 28 June 2026, at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, with kick-off at 8:30 AM IST. It is a Group G fixture in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Where can I watch New Zealand vs Belgium live in India?
Indian viewers can stream the match live on Zee5 (a subscription is required). Live telecast is available on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels.
What is the current Group G situation heading into this match?
Belgium have one point each from draws against Egypt and Iran, while New Zealand also have one point after drawing with Iran and losing to Egypt. Both sides must win to keep their round-of-32 qualification hopes firmly in their own hands.
Who are the key players to watch in Belgium vs New Zealand?
For Belgium, Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku, Charles De Ketelaere, and Romelu Lukaku are the primary attacking threats. For New Zealand, Chris Wood leads the forward line and will be central to their chances of causing an upset.
Who is the referee for the New Zealand vs Belgium match?
Adham Makhadmeh has been appointed as the referee for the Group G clash between New Zealand and Belgium at BC Place, Vancouver.
