The All Whites’ FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign is over after a 5-1 defeat to Belgium in Vancouver, Canada.

The result means New Zealand will not progress to the knockout stages, with Belgium finishing as Group G winners because of their superior goal difference compared to second place Egypt who also finished on five points.

The African side advance to the Round of 32 after their 1-1 draw with Iran who now face a nervous wait to see if they qualify as one of the eight best third place finishers.

The All Whites needed to defeat the world’s tenth ranked nation in order to qualify for the Round of 32.

Belgium imposed themselves on the match from the beginning, camping themselves inside the New Zealand half for large portions.

The first Belgian warning shot came from Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard who hit the post from an acute angle in the 10^th minute. Kiwi defender Tyler Bindon coming to the rescue, doing well to clear the bouncing ball while tip toeing on the goal line.

The Belgian onslaught did not let up, with Trossard again causing problems for the All Whites defence as his strike hit Finn Surman’s arm resulting in the referee to point to the spot. But VAR intervention would clear the New Zealander of any wrongdoing, reversing the penalty decision.

But the Kiwi defence couldn't shut out the Europeans for much longer.

A Kevin De Bruyne corner bounced off Tim Payne, falling into the path of Leandro Trossard who was quickest to react and provided the game's opener.

Despite the continued Belgian pressure, the score stayed 1-0 at halftime.

But the second half didn’t start how the Kiwis would have wanted as Leandro Trossard again found space in the All Whites penalty area. The Arsenal striker’s first shot was blocked by the All Whites defence, but Trossard made no mistake on the rebound and fired home to double Belgium’s lead in the 50^th minute.

Eli Just tried to spark a New Zealand reaction shortly after, his low driving shot forcing Thibaut Courtois into a save.

Belgium making the match even more of an uphill challenge for the Kiwis in the 67^th minute as Kevin De Bruyne showed his quality, dispatching a shot from just outside the penalty area past an out stretched Max Crocombe.

Despite the scoreline, the All Whites did not throw in the towel and managed to add a fourth goal to their FIFA World Cup campaign through their best player of the tournament Eli Just. The Motherwell forward chesting down a clearance from Belgium following a corner, before rifling a spectacular volley past Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois in the 84^th minute.

The Kiwi celebrations extinguished minutes later as substitute Romelu Lukaku put the result beyond doubt in the 86^th minute with his first touch of the match, rising highest to head in Belgium’s fourth.

The Europeans wrapping up the result and their place in the Round of 32 as Group G winners through Alexis Saelemaekers in stoppage time who found the bottom corner of Crocombe’s goal.

Full Time

All Whites 1 (Eli Just 84’)

Belgium 5 (Leandro Trossard 50', 28', Kevin De Bruyne 66', Romelu Lukaku 86', Alexis Saelemaekers 90' +4)

Article added: Saturday 27 June 2026