World Cup 2026 Game Predictions, Scripts & Picks

Belgium opens their World Cup campaign as substantial favorites against Egypt, with the market painting a clear picture of expected dominance. At -159 on the moneyline and laying 0.75 goals, the Red Devils are priced as if they should control this match from start to finish. The recent form tells an interesting tale of two trajectories. Belgium has been clinical in preparation, dismantling Tunisia 5-0 and Croatia 2-0 in their final warm-ups, building on a World Cup qualifying campaign where they averaged over two goals per match. Their 93 goals in 46 recent matches speaks to an attack that's found its rhythm under current management. Egypt presents a more complex puzzle. Their 29 wins in 51 recent matches shows consistency, but the level of competition matters. A narrow 2-1 loss to Brazil and scoreless draws against Spain and Nigeria suggest they can stay organized against quality opposition, but struggle to create clear chances. The Pharaohs' World Cup history is stark - zero wins in seven all-time matches, with just five goals scored. The head-to-head record splits evenly at 2-2, but context matters. Egypt's 2-1 friendly win in 2022 came at home, while Belgium's 3-0 victory in 2018 was during their golden generation peak. Neither result carries much weight for this neutral-site World Cup encounter. Roster-wise, Belgium still revolves around Kevin De Bruyne's creativity at 34, with Thibaut Courtois providing elite goalkeeping. The supporting cast has evolved, but the tactical framework remains sound. Egypt's squad lacks obvious star power beyond veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, relying more on collective organization than individual brilliance. The total sits at 2.5 with Under juice at -120, suggesting the market expects Belgium to win but not in a rout. Egypt's defensive discipline in recent matches supports this view - they've kept things tight even in losses, rarely allowing goal fests. Group stage dynamics favor Belgium's aggressive approach. They need goal difference as much as points, knowing they'll face tougher opponents later. Egypt will prioritize staying in the match, looking for set pieces or counter-attacks to steal a result. Expect Belgium to dominate possession and territory, with Egypt sitting deep and compact. The Red Devils' patient buildup through De Bruyne should eventually find gaps, but Egypt's defensive shape could keep this closer than the spread suggests. **