Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana now face a World Cup pressure point after Belgium’s goalless draw with Iran left Group G finely balanced.
Aston Villa confirmed that Tielemans completed the full 90 minutes in Los Angeles, captaining a Belgium side reduced to 10 men, while Onana remained an unused substitute. FIFA’s match report underlined the frustration, with Iran holding firm and Belgium unable to convert territorial pressure into the breakthrough they needed.
Youri Tielemans for Belgium vs Iran
90 minutes played
89% passing accuracy (47/53)
3 chances created
68 touches— AVFCStatto (@AVFCStatto) June 22, 2026
Villa Pair Face New Zealand Test
Belgium now move into Saturday’s meeting with New Zealand knowing the margin for error has narrowed sharply. For Villa, the equation is just as important: Tielemans is taking tournament responsibility as a national captain, while Onana’s physical profile remains a major midfield weapon if Rudi Garcia turns back to him.
UEFA lists Onana as a Villa midfielder in Belgium’s squad, with their next match set against New Zealand. That fixture will decide whether Villa’s Belgian contingent extend their summer workload into the knockouts or return sooner to Unai Emery’s pre-season planning.
The club have already tracked both players closely through their official World Cup diary. After a tense Iran draw, Villa’s midfield interest in Group G has become even sharper.
