Belgium vs Iran final score was Belgium 0-0 Iran at the World Cup 2026. Nathan Ngoy was sent off for Belgium as Alireza Beiranvand’s saves earned Iran a point that puts them top of Group G amid major travel and visa disruption.
Published: June 22, 2026 | Author: Hemim SK
Belgium vs Iran result: Belgium 0-0 Iran.
While the football world focuses on the scoreline, the more remarkable story sits underneath it. Iran have arrived at this World Cup facing travel restrictions and visa complications tied directly to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East — disruption that has affected their preparation in ways few other squads at this tournament have had to navigate. Tonight, with all of that as a backdrop, they held a Belgian side reduced to ten men to a goalless draw at Los Angeles Stadium and climbed to the top of Group G.
Belgium had 23 shots. Belgium had an expected goals value of 1.8. Belgium could not find a single goal. Iran’s goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was the difference, producing a string of saves that effectively dictated the entire outcome of the match.
Belgium 0-0 Iran. A result that tells two very different stories depending on which side of the pitch you were standing on.
Belgium vs Iran — Final Score and Match Facts
Final Score: Belgium 0-0 Iran
Date: Sunday June 21, 2026
Venue: Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium), Inglewood, California
Group: G
Final Score: Belgium 0-0 Iran
Sending off: N. Ngoy (Belgium) — 67th minute, straight red card
Group G Standings After This Match:
1. Iran — 2 points (D 0-0 Belgium, D 2-2 New Zealand)
2. Belgium — TBD (also drawn both matches)
3/4. Egypt and New Zealand — TBD (playing same day)
Note: Iran currently sit top of Group G ahead of the New Zealand vs Egypt fixture.
How the Match Unfolded
Belgium started the match already missing one of their most important attacking weapons. Jeremy Doku, their most dangerous and unpredictable forward, was ruled out through illness — a significant blow that immediately reduced Rudi Garcia’s attacking options. Inside the first four minutes, Romelu Lukaku was shown an early yellow card by Argentine referee Dario Herrera, an early sign of the frustration that would define Belgium’s evening.
Belgium dominated the ball from the opening whistle. Leandro Trossard caused early problems down the left, setting up a chance for Maxim De Cuyper that was eventually cleared. Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans controlled tempo through the middle for long spells, but Iran’s defensive shape — organised, disciplined and committed to absorbing pressure before striking on the break — gave Belgium very little space in behind.
Iran’s best moment of the first half arrived when Mehdi Taremi appeared to have given them the lead, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for a narrow offside — a let-off Belgium badly needed and a clear signal that Iran were not simply there to defend.
Half time: Belgium 0-0 Iran.
The Second Half — Beiranvand Takes Over
The second half turned into a goalkeeping exhibition from Alireza Beiranvand. In the 53rd minute he reacted instinctively to beat away a dangerous Taremi volley at the other end, before producing what may have been the save of the match in the 59th minute — somehow keeping out a De Cuyper effort from close range when a goal looked almost certain.
67′ — RED CARD BELGIUM — NATHAN NGOY
The pivotal moment of the match arrived in the 67th minute. Nathan Ngoy miscontrolled a routine back-pass under pressure from Taremi, and with no other way to prevent a clear goalscoring opportunity, hauled the Iranian striker down just outside the box. Referee Dario Herrera had no hesitation in showing a straight red card. Belgium were down to ten men, with their best attacking outlet already missing from the squad entirely.
Belgium brought on Romelu Lukaku to try to force a breakthrough, and almost immediately created problems — but Beiranvand continued to deny everything sent his way. Alexis Saelemaekers volleyed a deep De Bruyne corner just the wrong side of the post in the 49th minute, and as the match wore on, Belgium’s chances became increasingly desperate without the cutting edge Doku would have provided.
Full time: Belgium 0-0 Iran.
Match Analysis — A Point That Means Completely Different Things
For Belgium, this is a deeply frustrating result. As covered in our Belgium World Cup 2026 Schedule, Rudi Garcia’s side have now drawn both of their opening Group G matches, and the performance raised real concerns about their attacking sharpness — 23 shots and an xG of 1.8 should produce more than zero goals against any opponent. Lukaku, introduced as what was described post-match as a “super-sub” option, was unable to make the same kind of instant impact he has provided in previous matches this tournament, and pundits were critical of his overall lack of sharpness throughout. Belgium’s golden generation — De Bruyne, Lukaku, Courtois, all in the twilight of their international careers — are running out of time to deliver the major tournament run this squad has long promised.
For Iran, the context around this result matters enormously. As covered in our Iran World Cup 2026 Schedule, this is a squad that has faced genuine off-field disruption throughout their World Cup preparation — travel restrictions and visa complications connected to the wider conflict in the Middle East have affected their build-up in ways most competing nations simply have not had to deal with. Despite all of that, Iran have now taken two points from their opening two matches — a 2-2 draw with New Zealand followed by tonight’s result against a Belgian side many had expected to comfortably beat them — and currently sit top of Group G.
Sky Sports’ assessment after the match captured it well: Iran “look like a team galvanised” despite everything happening around them. Beiranvand’s performance tonight was not simply a good goalkeeping display — it was the kind of statement that gives an entire nation something to rally behind during a genuinely difficult period.
What This Means for Group G
With New Zealand facing Egypt later the same day, Group G’s final picture from Matchday 2 was still being completed as this match finished — but Iran’s position at the top, on merit, after the disruption they have navigated, is one of the more remarkable subplots of the entire group stage so far.
What Happens Next in Group G
Belgium vs New Zealand or Egypt — final group match, date TBC
Belgium need a win to guarantee their qualification hopes, and as covered in our Belgium World Cup 2026 Schedule, they may have to do it without Ngoy due to suspension.
Iran’s final group match — date TBC
As covered in our Iran World Cup 2026 Schedule, a positive result in their final match would put Iran in a very strong position to reach the Round of 32 for the first time since 2018.
Need To Know
What was the Belgium vs Iran final score?
Belgium vs Iran final score was Belgium 0-0 Iran at the FIFA World Cup 2026, played at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) on June 21.
Who was sent off in Belgium vs Iran?
Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red card for Belgium in the 67th minute for fouling Mehdi Taremi and denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, after miscontrolling a back-pass under pressure.
Why is Iran’s World Cup campaign unusual this year?
Iran have faced significant travel restrictions and visa complications during their 2026 World Cup preparation, connected to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, making their on-field results even more notable given the circumstances.
Is Iran top of Group G at World Cup 2026?
Yes — after drawing both of their opening matches (2-2 with New Zealand and 0-0 with Belgium), Iran currently sit top of Group G ahead of the New Zealand vs Egypt fixture.
Who was Belgium vs Iran’s best player?
Alireza Beiranvand, Iran’s goalkeeper, was the standout performer, making several crucial saves including a close-range stop to deny Maxim De Cuyper that preserved Iran’s point.
Did Jeremy Doku play for Belgium against Iran?
No — Jeremy Doku missed the match due to illness, a significant absence given his importance to Belgium’s attacking play.
How many shots did Belgium have against Iran?
Belgium had 23 shots and an expected goals (xG) value of 1.8 against Iran but failed to score, a reflection of their lack of sharpness in the final third.
Conclusion
Belgium vs Iran result: Belgium 0-0 Iran. Ngoy’s red card. Beiranvand’s heroics. A point that leaves Belgium frustrated and Iran, against the odds and against significant off-field adversity, sitting top of their group.
Whatever happens for the rest of this tournament, tonight’s result is a reminder that football scorelines rarely tell the whole story.
Read next: Spain vs Saudi Arabia Result: Yamal Younger Than Messi’s First World Cup Goal — World Cup 2026
Related: Belgium World Cup 2026 Schedule — Red Devils Group G Guide
Can Iran hold on to top spot in Group G despite everything working against them off the pitch — and is Belgium’s golden generation running out of time? Tell us in the comments below And don’t Forget to subscribe our newsletter, we don’t charge any penny it’s totally free to do also please join our social media it’s gives us motivation to do more