How the All Whites can still make it past the World Cup group stage

News
Sport

Author: Samuel Sherry,
Publish Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2026, 4:21pm

The All Whites’ chances of qualifying for the knockout stage of the 2026 Fifa World Cup have taken a big hit after a defeat to Egypt.

However, it is still possible for New Zealand to make it out of the group stage for the first time, but it will take a lot of luck.

Of the 48 teams taking part, 16 will be eliminated in this phase of the tournament, with the top two teams of each of the 12 groups making it through and the best-ranked third-placed teams also progressing into the knockouts.

Head-to-head results will decide which team makes it through within groups, but if multiple teams are on the same number of points, it comes down to points won in games against each other, then goal difference, then goals scored and then down to the number of cards received.

New Zealand sit bottom of group G on one point, but they still have a chance at making it through in either second or third place.

A win against Belgium on Saturday afternoon would put the All Whites on four points, and if Egypt and Iran were to draw then the New Zealand side would go through in second place.

New Zealand can still make it out of their group, but they face a tough task in doing so. Photo / Getty Images

If Egypt win their match against Iran, the All Whites would also qualify for the knockouts in second place.

Victories for Iran and New Zealand complicate things as the All Whites would finish third because of their loss to Egypt, despite finishing on the same points, still giving them a chance to make it through.

A draw with Belgium would likely result in the All Whites leaving the tournament early or relying on Iran suffering a major loss to Egypt.

In that scenario, Belgium would move up into second place on three points and the All Whites would have to hope other results go their way to be in with a chance of qualifying as one of the best third-place teams.

Scotland, Paraguay and Sweden are teams that presently sit in third place of their groups with three points, giving them a strong chance of making it through to the knockouts.

Cape Verde are on two points and in third place in group H, while Belgium are on the same number of points and sitting third in group G.

Four more groups still need to play their second round of games, which could mean the number of teams with more points than New Zealand starts to increase.

A draw in both group G matches on Saturday would eliminate the All Whites, as would a loss to Belgium.

The All Whites haven’t beaten European opposition since a 1-0 victory over Serbia in 2010, but now could be as good a chance to cause an upset as ever.

Belgium have looked far from their best in this tournament, drawing with Egypt and Iran, and the overall quality of the team doesn’t match up to those they have fielded in tournaments over the past decade.

Although it might be a huge mountain for New Zealand to climb, a win gives them the best chance of making the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time.