Kickoff: 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
Capacity: 68,740
Playing Surface: Natural grass (installed for World Cup)
Weather Forecast (Seattle, WA – Matchday)
- Temperature: 67–71°F (19–22°C)
- Conditions: Partly cloudy, mild
- Wind: 5–8 mph SSW
- Rain Probability: 15%
- Pitch Impact: Slight moisture may slow the ball marginally, but overall excellent conditions for technical play.
Team Status & Injury Report
Belgium
- OUT:
- Leandro Trossard (LW) – calf strain; ruled out.
- DOUBTFUL:
- Kevin De Bruyne (MF) – minor ankle swelling; expected to play but may be managed.
- Fully Fit Key Players: Romelu Lukaku, Jérémy Doku, Amadou Onana, Wout Faes, Arthur Theate.
Iran
- OUT:
- Sardar Azmoun (ST) – quad injury; unavailable.
- DOUBTFUL:
- Majid Hosseini (CB) – back tightness; late fitness test.
- Fully Fit Key Players: Mehdi Taremi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Saeid Ezatolahi, Ramin Rezaeian.
Team Records & Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
Belgium
- Record: 3–1–1
- Goals: 10 scored / 4 conceded
- Form: W‑D‑W‑L‑W
- Notes: Belgium’s attack remains potent, especially in transition. Defensive structure improved but still vulnerable to quick counters.
Iran
- Record: 2–1–2
- Goals: 5 scored / 6 conceded
- Form: W‑L‑D‑W‑L
- Notes: Iran is disciplined, compact, and dangerous on counters, but losing Azmoun significantly reduces their finishing threat.
Series History
- All‑Time Meetings: 1
- Belgium Wins: 1
- Iran Wins: 0
- Draws: 0
- Last Meeting: Belgium 1–0 Iran (Friendly, 2002)
- Trend: Too small a sample for meaningful historical patterns.
Tactical Breakdown & Key Player Matchups
1. Kevin De Bruyne (BEL) vs. Saeid Ezatolahi (IRN)
- De Bruyne’s half‑space distribution is Belgium’s engine.
- Ezatolahi must cut passing lanes and force Belgium wide; otherwise Iran will be stretched.
2. Romelu Lukaku (BEL) vs. Hosseini/Taremi (IRN CBs)
- Lukaku’s physicality and near‑post runs are a major mismatch.
- Iran’s center‑backs must avoid isolation; expect double‑coverage on crosses.
3. Jérémy Doku (BEL) vs. Ramin Rezaeian (IRN)
- Doku’s pace and dribbling create high‑value chances.
- Rezaeian is experienced but can be exposed by elite acceleration.
4. Mehdi Taremi (IRN) vs. Wout Faes (BEL)
- Taremi excels at hold‑up play and drawing fouls.
- Faes must avoid overcommitting; Iran’s best chances come from Taremi linking counters.
Projected Starting Lineups
Belgium (4‑2‑3‑1)
GK: Casteels DEF: Castagne – Faes – Theate – De Cuyper MID: Onana – Tielemans AM: Doku – De Bruyne – Lukebakio ST: Lukaku
Iran (4‑1‑4‑1)
GK: Beiranvand DEF: Rezaeian – Hosseini* – Kanaani – Mohammadi MID: Ezatolahi – Gholizadeh – Nourollahi – Jahanbakhsh – Torabi ST: Taremi
(*If unfit, Kanaani shifts central and Moharrami starts at RB.)
Betting Trends
- Belgium has scored 2+ goals in 4 of their last 5 matches.
- Iran has scored 1 or fewer in 6 of their last 8 competitive fixtures.
- Belgium has covered -1.5 in 3 of their last 5.
- Iran matches have gone Under 2.5 in 5 of their last 7.
MATCH ODDS
Belgium – 235
Iran + 650
Draw + 380
Over 2.5 – 125 Under 2.5 + 100
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, June 20, 2026
