Belgium face New Zealand with the World Cup on the line

Five to midnight against New Zealand

Tonight is the one that decides everything. Belgium 0–0 Iran and 1–1 Egypt have left your team with no more safety net. The German press calls it "fünf vor zwölf", five to midnight (2). A draw might not even be enough. Belgium must beat New Zealand to control their own fate.

De Bruyne's special day, and a cat says win

Kevin De Bruyne has something extra riding on Friday. Source (3) flags it as a special day for the captain, the kind of moment that writes itself. And if you need a sign: mayor Bart De Wever's cat has predicted a Belgium victory (3). Science is science.

What happens if Egypt stumble

You are not alone in this group. Egypt face Iran later tonight, and if Egypt fail to win, Belgium could still top the group with a victory (1). It is a narrow path, but it exists. Meanwhile the rest of the world gets Mbappé versus Haaland, France and Norway shaping knockout paths that Belgium still hope to be part of (1) (4).

Where to watch

The match is live and available to stream. Source (5) has the full broadcast details for Belgium against New Zealand. Kickoff times and channels are listed there.

Fan reactions

The mood on Reddit is grim. Belgium have already been knocked out of one bracket projection after Ecuador's result on match day 15, with Group G now closed to your team. One thread tracking the knockout paths shows only 14 of 32 spots locked in, and Belgium are not among them. See the full bracket.