Stadium: Seattle Stadium
Date: Monday, June 15
Kick-off Time: 8 p.m. BST
Match Preview
Belgium will be hoping to avoid the embarrassment of another Group stage exit that they suffered in Qatar in 2022.
We have heard for many years about the “Golden Generation” of Belgian football but they just havn’t delivered at a major International Tournament, many of those players remain but are clearly past there best.
Rudi Garcia is the man charged with changing that narrative and there early sign sof his tenure have been positive, he led Les Diables Rouges to an unbeaten qualifying campaign winning five and drawing three of the eight games.
Since qualification Belgium have played four Friendly Internationals, recording a 5-2 win vs USA and a 1-1 draw vs Mexico before the final two games resulting in an impressive 2-0 win vs Croatia & at thumping 5-0 win over fellow finalists Tunisia.
This will be a second world cup appearance in the last three editions for Egypt, a significant achievement for a nation that had only played at two previous World Cups.
They were heavily fancied to win the AFCON in January this year but fell to a surprise semi final defeat to Seengal.
Former Star Hossam Hassan is now the coach of The Pharaohs and he will be hoping his side can find some form as since they qualified they have won just two of 5 matches.
Theyh head to North America on the back of two friendlies against Russia (1-0 Win) & a 2-1 loss to Spain.
Team News Belgium
Thibault Courtois has had an injury riddles season at Real Madrid but there are no concerns over his fitness heading into this world cup and he will start.
It’s a very different looking defence to previous tournaments, there is no Toby Alderwiereld or Jan Vertonghen, instead the centre backs willbe Arthur Theate and Nathan Ngoy.
The Red Devils do look very strong in midfield with Youri Tielemens having a superb season at Aston Villa alongside Amadou Onana, they should both start alongside Kevin de Bruyne.
Leandro Trossard and Jeremy Doku will look to provide the chances for record scorer Romelu Lukaku to add to his 90 International goals.
Team News Egypt
The hopes of most Egyptians will lie on the shoulders of Mohamed Salah, however he has been struggling with a hamstring injury for a number of weeks. Reports suggest he will start on Monday but he is still not fully fit.
He will be joined in attack by Man City’s Omar Marmoush and the evergreen Trezeguet providing plenty of options.
Mohamed El Shenawy will make his 78th International Appearance in goal and he will be protected by centre backs Yasser Ibrahim and Ramy Rabia
Form
| Team | Latest Result | Form (Last 5) |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 5-0 vs Tunisia | D W W D W W |
| Egypt | 1-2 vs Spain | L L W D W L |
Possible Line Ups
Belgium (4-2-3-1-)
Courtois; Meunier, Ngoy, Theate, De Cuyper; Onana, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; Lukaku
Egypt (4-2-3-1)
El Shenawy; Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Fatouh; Lashin, Fathy; Salah, Trezeguet, Zizo; Marmoush
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
Belgium Win | 8/13 (1.73) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 29/10 (3.9) | Dream Vegas |
| Egypt Win | 9/2 (5.50) | 247Bet |
We Predict.....
Belgium 1-0 Egypt
Belgium can claim a narrow opening day victory over an Egypt side too reliant on one man,