{
    "title": "2026 World Cup: Belgium top Group G and qualify for knockout stage ",
    "modified_at": "2026-06-29 10:35:21",
    "published_at": "2026-06-27 06:28:00",
    "url": "https://belganewsagency-eu.prezly.com/2026-world-cup-belgium-wins-its-group",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/bQJd",
    "culture": "en_BE",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "2026-world-cup-belgium-wins-its-group",
    "body": "<p><strong>Belgium are through to the knockout stage of the World Cup after a 5-1 \u200b win against New Zealand in Seattle. The Red Devils&#039; first two matches ended in draws, but the victory in their final group match means they finish top of their group.</strong></p><p>Standout player Leandro Trossard scored twice, while Kevin De Bruyne, substitute Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers also found the net. Elijah Just scored for New Zealand, who finish bottom of the group with one point.</p><p>With the other Group G match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle ending in a 1-1 draw, the undefeated Belgians secured group victory with five points. Egypt also have five points but a worse goal difference, with Iran third on three points after three draws.</p><div id=\"story-bookmark-24679971-2678-45c1-8a51-9cde6b1357a6\"\n     class=\"release-content-story-bookmark release-content-story-bookmark--horizontal\">\n\n            <a class=\"release-content-story-bookmark__thumbnail\"\n           href=\"https://belganewsagency-eu.prezly.com/2026-world-cup-belgium-face-must-win-world-cup-clash-against-new-zealand\"\n           rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n           target=\"_blank\"           style=\"background-image: url(https://prezly.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.uc.assets.prezly.com%2F1d2e1842-85c1-4e27-a729-afa1a0bdbf38%2F-%2Fpreview%2F600x600%2F?ar=1%3A1&amp;fit=crop&amp;s=6dc78b497b75c58a4447434148376b0c)\"\n        ></a>\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-story-bookmark__details\">\n\n                    <a class=\"release-content-story-bookmark__title\"\n               href=\"https://belganewsagency-eu.prezly.com/2026-world-cup-belgium-face-must-win-world-cup-clash-against-new-zealand\"\n               rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n               target=\"_blank\"               data-type=\"story-bookmark\"\n               data-track=\"Story StoryBookmark Click\"\n               data-placement=\"content\"\n               data-id=\"24679971-2678-45c1-8a51-9cde6b1357a6\"\n           >\n                2026 World Cup: Belgium face crucial World Cup clash against New Zealand            </a>\n        \n                    <div class=\"release-content-story-bookmark__description\">\n                Belgium face New Zealand in a crucial final Group G match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday in Vancouver, with their place in the knockout stage still hanging in the balance.            </div>\n        \n        <a href=\"https://belganewsagency-eu.prezly.com/\"\n           target=\"_blank\"\n           rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"\n           class=\"release-content-story-bookmark__provider\"\n        >\n            <img class=\"release-content-story-bookmark__provider-icon\" src=\"https://avatars.prezly.com/favicon?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbelganewsagency-eu.prezly.com%2F2026-world-cup-belgium-face-must-win-world-cup-clash-against-new-zealand&newsroom=6b71e247-a9ba-4732-aaa3-88be14c119db\" aria-hidden=\"true\" />\n            belganewsagency-eu.prezly.com        </a>\n    </div>\n</div>\n<p>The win means Belgium will remain in Seattle for the next round on 1 July and possibly the one after that, an advantage compared to a long trip to Dallas. They will face South Korea, Senegal, Algeria or Austria, who are yet to play their final group matches.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><sup>&copy; BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM</sup></p>",
    "header": {
        "large": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/613af2e7-d9f1-4122-b12c-9d1737efcde5/-/preview/1200x1200/-/format/auto/",
        "release": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/613af2e7-d9f1-4122-b12c-9d1737efcde5/-/preview/1200x1200/-/format/auto/"
    },
    "author": {
        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service"
    },
    "format_version": 5
}