New Zealand vs Belgium Prediction, 6/26/2026 World Cup Pick, Tips and Odds

by Josh Schonwald - 6/25/2026

Game: New Zealand vs Belgium

Date: Friday, June 26, 2026

Location: BC Place in Vancouver, BC

TV: FOX

New Zealand (0-1-1) are welcoming Belgium (0-2-0) at BC Place in Vancouver, BC on Friday. The odds on this World Cup game have New Zealand at +1600 and Belgium is sitting at -600. The total comes in at 3.5. The expected starting goaltenders will be Max Crocombe for New Zealand and Thibaut Courtois for Belgium.

soccer picks Chris Wood New Zealand predictions best bet odds

New Zealand lost 3-1 to Egypt in their last game after playing Iran to a 2-2 draw in their World Cup opener. Elijah Just has 2 goals for New Zealand, while Finn Surman has the other one. Max Crombe has 6 saves but has given up 5 goals thus far in the World Cup.

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Belgium has had a disappointing World Cup thus far, playing to a 0-0 draw against Iran after a 1-1 draw against Egypt. Although they have 10 shots on target, their only goal was an own-goal. In net for Belgium, Thibaut Courtois has 5 saves on only 6 shots on target, so he's done his job well to this point.

The guy who is expected to defend the goal for New Zealand will be Max Crocombe. Crocombe has played for a total of 21,668 mins and is sitting with 693 saves in his pro soccer career. Crocombe (86-62-92 record in his career) has accumulated 68 shutouts, which has him sitting with a 28.2%% shutout percentage. The goalie born in New Zealand has seen 964 shots tried at him in 240 career starts. His goals allowed per 90 minutes is 1.19 (286 goals allowed) and he has earned a save % of 71.9%.

Thibaut Courtois will be looking after the net for Belgium. In his pro soccer career, Courtois has allowed 455 goals while earning 1,210 saves in 510 starting assignments. He is the owner of a save percentage of 74.0% and his clean sheet rate is 42.4%%. He has surrendered 0.90 goals per 90 mins while holding a record of 320-102-85. Courtois has earned 215 clean sheets while he has seen 1,635 shots attempted against him in 45,686 career minutes.

Chris Wood is a player who can be a difference maker for New Zealand. Wood has been a starter in 398 contests in his career and has 0.46 G/90. The forward born in New Zealand has accumulated 178 goals scored in 35,014 professional minutes played. He has totaled 39 assists while tallying 395 pts in his career.

Belgium is being led onto the pitch by Kevin De Bruyne, who is a thorn in the side of defenses. He scores 0.28 goals per 90 minutes and has been in the starting lineup in 418 contests thus far in his career. The forward born in Belgium has been on the field for 36,362 professional minutes while scoring 115 goals. He has collected 410 points during his pro soccer career and has assisted on a goal 180 times.

Who will win tonight's World Cup game ATS?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Belgium (-600)

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New Zealand vs Belgium Prediction, 6/26/2026 World Cup Pick, Tips and Odds

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