EFC Brief

The headline EFC thread here runs through Belgium's loaded squad, where five names carry Goodison links — Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Jérémy Doku and Timothy Castagne. With confirmed lineups in, this is a rare chance to watch a cluster of EFC-linked talent operate together against an underdog side that will sit deep and counter. New Zealand's interest is quieter but no less worth tracking. Marko Stamenić and Sarpreet Singh both carry EFC connections, and how they cope in midfield against De Bruyne's range and Tielemans' tempo will tell us plenty about their levels on this stage. Watch the wide areas in particular: Doku's directness against whichever full-back the All Whites trust will be a recurring duel, while Courtois behind it all offers Belgium a settling presence. For EFC eyes, it's quantity on one side, grit on the other.