Belgium’s speed and France’s high‑scoring wins dominate World Cup 2026 group stage

New Zealand forward Elijah Just praised Belgium’s swift transition play after the Belgians defeated his team 5‑1 at BC Place in Vancouver. He said, “When we lose the ball they punish us very quickly… they have many fast players and are very strong on the counter‑attack,” and noted Belgium’s ability to turn opponent errors into rapid counter‑attacks, securing a place in the tournament’s knockout round.

In Boston, France’s assistant coach Guy Stephan applauded Les Bleus for a 4‑1 victory over Norway, highlighting Ousmane Dembele’s hat‑trick. “We really enjoyed how we played, full of intensity, creating many chances and scoring four goals,” he said, while defender Maxence Lacroix described the win as a confidence boost that sealed France’s group‑stage sweep. Both matches underscore the importance of pace and attacking efficiency in the early phases of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.