Belgium draws with Egypt in World Cup opener as Tielemans and Onana feature

Belgium's World Cup campaign began with a 1-1 draw against Egypt on June 18, 2026. Egypt took the lead early in the match, but Belgium mounted a second-half comeback to claim a point. In the 63rd minute, captain Youri Tielemans delivered a precise pass to the right flank, which Thomas Meunier converted into a dangerous cross. The cross led to an own goal by Egypt defender Muhammad Hani as he attempted to clear the ball, equalizing the match. Tielemans played the full 90 minutes as captain, anchoring Belgium's midfield and driving the team's performance throughout the match. Midfielder Emmanuel Onana also started for Belgium but was substituted in the 56th minute. While Belgium missed the opportunity to start with a victory, the draw keeps them competitive in Group G. Belgium will face Iran in their next group match on June 21, with qualification hopes still intact following this hard-fought opening fixture.