The tournament offers Belgium an opportunity to move beyond the disappointment of their group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup and finally deliver on the promise shown by a generation that has consistently ranked among the world's best.

Egypt, meanwhile, return to football's biggest stage for the first time since 2018 and are still searching for a first victory in World Cup history.

Rudi Garcia's side arrive in the United States after an encouraging qualification campaign that saw them top their group with 18 points from eight matches, scoring 29 goals along the way.

The Red Devils have also impressed in their preparations for the tournament, winning three of their four warm-up fixtures against the United States, Croatia and Tunisia.

Belgium will once again look to Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku for inspiration. The pair remain among the most influential figures in the squad, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is set to start behind a defence featuring several new faces.

Egypt's hopes are likely to rest on Mohamed Salah, who returns to the World Cup eight years after featuring in Russia. The Liverpool forward is expected to lead the attack alongside Omar Marmoush, with Trezeguet and Zizo also providing attacking support.

The Pharaohs reached the finals after topping their qualifying group without suffering a defeat and will be eager to improve on their previous World Cup appearances, having never progressed beyond the group stage.

There is also recent history between the sides. Egypt defeated Belgium 2-1 in a friendly ahead of the 2022 World Cup and have won three of the four previous meetings between the nations.

Group G also includes Iran and New Zealand, who meet on Tuesday in the section's other opening fixture.

Belgium predicted lineup:

Courtois; Meunier, Ngoy, Theate, De Cuyper; Onana, Tielemans; Trossard, De Bruyne, Doku; Lukaku

Egypt predicted lineup:

El Shenawy; Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Rabia, Fatouh; Lashin, Hamdy Fathy; Salah, Trezeguet, Zizo; Marmoush

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