Ladbrokes previews New Zealand vs Belgium in Group G at the 2026 World Cup, with bet builder tips
Belgium expected to beat New Zealand, with Romelu Lukaku scoring his first goal of the summer
Both teams tipped to score, with at least three cards being dished out by the referee
Ladbrokes brings you an in-depth match preview for New Zealand vs Belgium in Group G at the 2026 World Cup, including odds, predictions, and bet builder tips.
The Red Devils haven't exactly started the tournament in blistering form, with back-to-back draws meaning they need to win this to finish inside the top two - but against the group's outright underdogs, can Rudi Garcia's side finally pick up their first win of the summer?
Below, we've put together the ultimate New Zealand vs Belgium bet builder, with potential starting lineups, our score prediction, and the latest live betting markets - so read on!
Venue: BC Place Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
New Zealand vs Belgium: Score prediction
Our prediction: New Zealand 1-3 Belgium
New Zealand vs Belgium: Predicted lineups
New Zealand
Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Crocombe / Payne, Surman, Boxall, Cacace / Bell, Stamenic / McCowatt, Singh, Just / Wood
Belgium
Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois / Meunier, Theate, Mechele, De Cuyper / Onana, Tielemans / Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Trossard / Lukaku
New Zealand vs Belgium: Bet builder tips
Romelu Lukaku to score against New Zealand
Reinstated back into the starting lineup for their game against Iran - before being sacrificed when Nathan Ngoy saw red - Romelu Lukaku continues to maintain a remarkable goalscoring record for Belgium, and we're backing him to get his first goal of the summer in this one.
With 90 goals in 128 caps, the big striker is far and away the all-time top scorer for his nation, with Kevin De Bruyne in second on 37 goals, and he'll want to add to his five World Cup goals to help Belgium avoid an embarrassing group-stage exit. The former Man United and Chelsea man hasn't found the net in either of his last two major tournaments, so comes into this one with a real point to prove - especially following his forgettable season for Napoli - and with Youri Tielemans and KDB creating the chances, we're sure he can provide the all-important finish.
So Romelu Lukaku to score anytime is the first pick of our New Zealand vs Belgium bet builder, with the 33-year-old ending his tournament drought.
Both teams to score in New Zealand vs Belgium
While New Zealand also haven't managed to pick up a victory yet, they have scored in both of their Group G games so far, and against a shuffled Belgium backline, we think they'll strike again - so we're backing BTTS.
The All Whites haven't kept a clean sheet since a friendly in June 2025, but their tally of three goals at the 2026 World Cup is better than a number of teams - including Belgium, who enter this one as favourites - so goals could easily come at both ends. The Red Devils have actually kept three clean sheets in their last four games, with the exception being their Group G opener against Egypt, but as they push for a much-needed victory, we're expecting some gaps to open up at the back.
Switching our attention to cards, and we're expecting a full-blooded affair to warrant a few bookings, with over 2.5 cards being shown in the match.
Belgium have received two cards in each game so far, including a red card for Nathan Ngoy in their draw with Iran, and with New Zealand also picking up two bookings in their last match, we're expecting a reasonably busy evening for the referee. Both sides have committed 22 fouls across their first two group games, and with so much on the line in Vancouver, our experts are expecting the full-blooded approaches to continue in this crucial Group G clash.
So over 2.5 bookings seems a smart pick here, with the odds backing at least three cards in the match.
Their only goal at the 2026 World Cup so far was an own goal by Egypt's Mohamed Hany, so they really need to find their shooting boots if they want to get past New Zealand - but in agreement with the latest odds, that's exactly what we think they'll do. A staggering 76 places separate these two nations in the world rankings, making this the tournament's second-biggest mismatch (behind Brazil vs Haiti), so the pressure is all on Belgium - but considering they haven't lost a game in 15 months, we're backing them to get the job done here.
So we're predicting a win for the Red Devils, scraping through to the knockouts and bringing an end to New Zealand's valiant World Cup campaign.
You can bet on each of these markets individually, or combine them to create a New Zealand vs Belgium Bet Builder. Plus, with Bet Builder+, you can combine your bet not only with other World Cup matches, but also with different sports.
New Zealand vs Belgium takes place on Saturday, 27 June, with kick-off for the Group G match scheduled for 04:00 BST.
How can I watch New Zealand vs Belgium at the World Cup?
The World Cup match, New Zealand vs Belgium, will be shown live on BBC and BBC iPlayer for UK viewers.
Can you bet on New Zealand vs Belgium?
Ladbrokes are offering customers the chance to bet on a number of New Zealand vs Belgium markets, including match result, both teams to score, and over/under total goals.
