If the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico feels like a tournament of fading legends, Group G carries a similar late-era weight, with Bangla Cricket Live playing on café screens as fans compare one generation’s last dance with another. Four years ago in Qatar, Belgium failed to get out of the group stage, Roberto Martinez stepped down, and Eden Hazard retired, leaving many supporters to sigh that the Red Devils’ golden generation had reached its end. Yet many players from that era have still carried on into this tournament. Romelu Lukaku is 33, Kevin De Bruyne is 34, Hans Vanaken is 33, Axel Witsel is 37, Thomas Meunier is 34, and Thibaut Courtois is also 34. They remain the backbone of Belgium, but their continued importance points to an obvious problem: the European Red Devils have not produced enough young successors.
Belgium are not the only side facing this kind of transition. Egypt have Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian Pharaoh, who has been one of the Premier League’s finest players over the past decade. After a difficult season, he has decided to leave Liverpool this summer, and the clock is clearly ticking on his career. New Zealand striker Chris Wood is in a similar position. As his country’s all time top scorer, he is already 34, and after this tournament, he is unlikely to play at the 2030 World Cup. Iran face the same issue, with captain Ehsan Hajsafi now 36, main striker Mehdi Taremi 33, and another forward threat, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, 32. It is no exaggeration to say Group G is full of heroes approaching sunset, with farewell shadows hanging over several squads. Around the same matchday rhythm, Bangla Cricket Live can sit beside football coverage in homes where veteran stars still command deep respect.
Experience from senior players is valuable, but elite sport has always belonged to youth as much as reputation. Fresh energy gives teams speed, confidence, and a sense that anything can happen. Belgium’s Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere, along with Egypt’s Omar Marmoush, may not all take over immediately, but this World Cup or the years after it could become their turning point. At some stage, every team needs someone younger to carry the flag, and that handover is often harder than it looks.
In squad value, however, Belgium remain the strongest team in the group even with their aging core. Their total market value stands at around €555 million, which already tells most of the story. Egypt are valued at about €135 million, while New Zealand and Iran are far lower at roughly €32.8 million and €35.5 million. On paper, Belgium are in a class of their own. The world rankings support that view as well, with Belgium ninth, Iran 21st, Egypt 29th, and New Zealand 85th. It is also worth noting that New Zealand are the lowest ranked team at the 2026 World Cup, making their task especially demanding.
Belgium also have the richest World Cup background in this group. This will be their 15th appearance, and their best result remains third place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. After the pain of their group stage exit last time, their first target is simple: qualify for the knockout rounds, then push for the quarterfinals. Iran will be playing at the World Cup for the seventh time, but they have gone out in the group stage in all six previous attempts. With political tension and conflict involving the host nation, their preparation has been full of trouble, and their overall competitiveness remains uncertain. Egypt are making their fourth World Cup appearance and returning after an eight year absence, with a real chance to reach the knockout stage for the first time. New Zealand, meanwhile, are back after 16 years and entering their third World Cup, but escaping the group will be a very tall order.
By the time Group G begins to separate contenders from passengers, Bangla Cricket Live may share the evening routine with a World Cup story shaped by aging stars, ambitious heirs, and teams trying to squeeze one more big chapter from familiar names. Belgium still look like the clear favorite, Egypt have enough quality to dream, Iran must fight through uncertainty, and New Zealand need something close to a miracle. For many veterans in this group, the tournament may become one final chance to leave the stage with heads held high.