Salah's final World Cup bid begins as Belgium face Egypt in Seattle opener

Belgium and Egypt open their 2026 World Cup campaigns in Group G on Monday at Seattle Stadium, with kick-off set for 8pm UK time. Rudi Garcia’s Belgium side arrive under pressure after failing to progress from the group stage at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, while Egypt return to the World Cup having missed out four years ago entirely.

For Egypt, the stakes carry a particular weight. Mohamed Salah, widely regarded as the greatest player in the country’s history, is expected to feature prominently, and this tournament could represent his final opportunity to make a mark on football’s biggest stage.

Belgium, meanwhile, are in a period of transition following the gradual break-up of their so-called golden generation. Garcia’s squad will be eager to demonstrate that the team retains the quality to compete at the highest level, with a group-stage exit in Qatar still fresh in the memory.

Seattle Stadium — temporarily renamed for the tournament from its usual identity as Lumen Field, home of NFL franchise the Seattle Seahawks — is considered one of the most atmospheric venues in the United States, renowned for its noise levels and intimidating atmosphere.

The BBC’s coverage will be presented by Mark Chapman, joined in the studio by pundits Micah Richards, Theo Walcott, and Olivier Giroud. Giroud brings direct experience of winning the tournament, having lifted the World Cup with France in 2018 and reaching the final again four years later in Qatar.

Walcott, who retired from playing in 2023 after a career that included 47 England caps, is a familiar face in the punditry world. His international story has its own World Cup thread — he was famously called up to the England squad for the 2006 tournament in Germany by Sven-Goran Eriksson at just 17, though he never made it onto the pitch. Subsequent tournaments either passed him by through omission or injury.

Richards earned 13 England caps during his playing career and represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics, before retiring in 2019. He has since become a prominent media figure.

Steve Bower will handle commentary duties at Seattle Stadium and is expected to be a regular voice throughout the tournament.