Egypt vs Iran is a must-see match, and an incredibly difficult clash to predict, as either side can top the Group G table come 6am British time.
Belgium vs New Zealand will be played simultaneously, with the All Whites being the only team of the four unable to finish first in the group.
Still, all four sides can secure qualification to the knockout stages, but topping the table guarantees a reasonable path to the Round of 16, and perhaps even the quarter-finals; both Egypt and Iran will be aware of those stakes.
Egypt vs Iran prediction, as Mohamed Salah's men look to top Group G
Prior to Monday, Egypt, the most successful side in Africa Cup of Nations history, had never won a World Cup game.
That all changed, as the greatest African footballer to ever grace the game, Mohamed Salah, commanded the Pharaohs to a 3-1 victory over New Zealand.
Salah will have to play an integral role in the match should Egypt wish to secure a second consecutive win, and set up an intriguing route to the later phases of the 2026 World Cup.
But Omar Marmoush, despite failing to make a significant impact in North America so far, is also a quietly boiling terror, capable of springing to life should even a half chance fall his way.
Together, those two combine as the scariest African attacking duo in the world, and Iran will be more than aware of their threat.
On Iran's side, they will also know that the Pharoahs' poor record on the World Cup stage gives them an equally solid chance of stealing the result they need.
Even Egypt's golden era national teams failed to make their mark at the tournament, and while Monday's victory may have gotten the Salah-led side past the hump, demons like that are hard to shake.
Even more so, because the Pharaohs are the only team in the group to have already qualified, meaning that complacency and an "it isn't the end of the world" mentality could rear its head should Iran take an early lead.
The Iranians have a storyline of their own: setting up a knockout clash against the nation that has made their World Cup tournament so difficult — the United States in the Round of 16.
That path is only possible if they top the group, which only a win will give them a chance of doing.
What Egypt have going for them is a veteran Salah surely in higher confidence than he has been for most of the 2025/26 season.
The Liverpool and Premier League legend endured a rough campaign being played mostly out of his ideal position, and tied to the whipping post to protect new signings and an incompetent Arne Slot, but he looks more at home than anywhere else when he's with Egypt.
The Pharaohs' right-back, Mohamed Hany, and recent attacking introduction, Mostafa Ziko, are also in fine form, as well as the blistering Emam Ashour in midfield.
This clash will be a tight draw, with Egypt still topping the group and Iran going through as one of the Top 8 third-placed sides.
Prediction: Egypt 2-2 Iran
