Egypt at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

Egypt have appeared at the FIFA World Cup four times: 1934, 1990, 2018, and 2026. In 1934 they became the first African and Arab nation to participate in the World Cup, losing 4-2 to Hungary in the round of 16 - their best-ever finish. When they returned in 1990 after a 56-year absence, they drew with the Netherlands and Ireland but were eliminated in the group stage. At Russia 2018, Mohamed Salah scored their first World Cup goal in 28 years, yet they again exited at the group phase. Egypt have never won the World Cup, but they are Africa's most decorated nation in continental football, holding a record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010).

Qualification

Egypt qualified for the 2026 World Cup by topping CAF Group A in the third round of African qualification, going unbeaten across all 10 matches with 8 wins and 2 draws, accumulating 26 points and conceding only 2 goals. Their group included Uganda, Ghana, and Congo. Captain Mohamed Salah was the standout performer, scoring 9 goals in the campaign to become the all-time top scorer in CAF World Cup qualification with 20 goals in total. Coach Hossam Hassan, Egypt's all-time leading scorer with 69 international goals, became the first person to take Egypt to a World Cup as both a player (1990) and as a head coach.

Preparation

Egypt qualified for the knockout stage for the first time in their World Cup history by finishing Group G runners-up with 5 points (W1 D2 L0). After a 1-1 draw with Belgium on June 15 (Ashour 19', Hany OG 66') and a landmark 3-1 win over New Zealand on June 21 (Ziko 58', Salah 67', Trezeguet 82') in Vancouver, Egypt secured progression with a 1-1 draw against Iran on June 26 at Lumen Field, Seattle: Mahmoud Saber opened scoring in the 5th minute, Rezaeian equalised (14'), Taremi missed a penalty, and Khalilzadeh's 93rd-minute header was disallowed by VAR for offside. Egypt beat Australia 1-1 (4-2 on penalties) in the round of 32 on July 3 at AT&T Stadium, Arlington: Ashour scored (13'), Hany own goal levelled it (55'); Salah converted a Panenka in the shootout, delivering Egypt's first-ever World Cup knockout win. Egypt were eliminated in the round of 16, losing 3-2 to defending champions Argentina on July 7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, having led 2-0: Yasser Ibrahim (15') and Mostafa Ziko (67') put Egypt ahead, goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved a first-half Messi penalty, but Argentina completed a stoppage-time comeback through Cristian Romero (79'), Messi (83') and Enzo Fernandez (90'+2'). A Ziko goal was VAR-disallowed in the 58th minute for a Marawan Attia foul in the build-up. The Egyptian Football Association publicly protested the officiating on July 8, citing the disallowed goal and an unreviewed Alexis Mac Allister challenge in the build-up to Argentina's winner.

Latest news

Egyptian Football Association protests officiating after round-of-16 exit to Argentina

· general

The EFA said it 'cannot remain silent' about refereeing and VAR decisions in the 3-2 loss to Argentina, citing Mostafa Ziko's 58th-minute goal disallowed for a Marawan Attia foul in the build-up, and no VAR review for an Alexis Mac Allister challenge before Argentina's stoppage-time winner. It said Egypt's players and fans 'deserved fairness, respect, and equal application of the laws.'

Egypt eliminated 3-2 by defending champions Argentina after leading 2-0

· matches

Egypt led 2-0 through Yasser Ibrahim (15') and Mostafa Ziko (67') at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta; keeper Mostafa Shobeir saved a first-half Messi penalty. A Ziko goal was VAR-disallowed (58') for a Marawan Attia foul in the build-up. Argentina completed a stoppage-time comeback via Cristian Romero (79'), Messi (83') and Enzo Fernandez (90'+2') to eliminate Egypt in the round of 16.

Egypt beat Australia 4-2 on penalties for first-ever World Cup knockout win

· matches

Egypt drew 1-1 with Australia at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, in the round of 32: Ashour scored (13'), a Hany own goal levelled it (55'). Egypt won 4-2 on penalties, with Salah, Saber, Rabia and Abdelmaguid scoring; Salah converted a Panenka despite his hamstring strain from the Iran match. It was Egypt's first-ever World Cup knockout win, sending them into the round of 16.

Salah doubtful, Fattouh likely out with hamstring tear, Abdelmonem recovering; Lashin suspended for Australia

· injuries

Fitness concerns before the July 3 round-of-32 vs Australia. Salah (hamstring strain, off 56' vs Iran) has begun rehab; EFA board member Abu Zahra says he will be ready. Fattouh suffered an 82nd-minute hamstring tear, not replaced; doctor Abou El-Ela gave him 'extremely slim' chances. Abdelmonem (ankle contusion, off 13') expected to recover per EFA. Lashin suspended after a yellow vs Iran.

Egypt draw 1-1 with Iran, advance to round of 32 for first time in World Cup history

· matches

Egypt drew 1-1 with Iran at Lumen Field, Seattle, finishing Group G runners-up (5 pts) to reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history. Saber scored (5'), Rezaeian equalised (14'), Taremi missed a penalty. Khalilzadeh's 93rd-minute goal was disallowed by VAR for offside. Egypt face Australia on July 3 at AT&T Stadium, Dallas, in their first World Cup round-of-32 tie.

US security authorities deny Egypt's request to remain in Seattle ahead of Iran match

· general

Egypt's request to stay in Seattle ahead of their June 26 Iran clash was rejected by US security authorities. Coach Hossam Hassan confirmed: 'The security authorities refused the team's request to stay in the city of Seattle.' The squad returned to their Spokane base, approximately 280 miles away, rather than resting closer to the decisive Group G fixture.

Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 for first-ever World Cup victory; Salah scores his 68th international goal

· matches

Egypt's first-ever World Cup win: 3-1 vs New Zealand at BC Place, Vancouver. NZL led through Surman's header (15'); Egypt replied: Ziko headed in (58'), Salah scored his 68th international goal (67'), Trezeguet added a diving header (82'). Salah: 'In years to come, we will remember this as one of the achievements in history.' Egypt top Group G with 4 pts; face Iran June 27, Seattle.

Egypt to fly directly from Vancouver to Seattle after New Zealand clash, skipping Spokane return

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Egypt director Ibrahim Hassan announced the Pharaohs will travel directly from Vancouver to Seattle on June 22 following their New Zealand match, instead of returning to their Spokane base camp then Seattle on June 24. The change spares players additional travel and allows better preparation for the decisive Group G match against Iran.

Egypt draw 1-1 with Belgium in World Cup opener; Ashour scores, Hany OG costs victory

· matches

Egypt drew 1-1 with Belgium at Lumen Field, Seattle. Emam Ashour scored (19') from a Salah pass; Mohamed Hany's own goal (66') levelled for Belgium seconds after Lukaku's introduction. Salah, starting on his 34th birthday, had a header saved by Courtois. Shobeir made crucial late saves. Coach Hassan protested a denied penalty: 'A million percent correct - VAR didn't even check it.'

Egypt hold open training session in Spokane; 500 lottery fans watch Salah train

· general

Approximately 500 fans selected by lottery attended Egypt's open training session at Gonzaga University's Luger Field on June 10. The team ran 11-on-11 drills for around two hours. Mohamed Salah was the focal point for spectators, many of whom had followed his career for years. Egypt remain in Spokane training ahead of their June 15 Group G opener against Belgium in Seattle.

Egypt arrive in Spokane to begin final World Cup base-camp preparations

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Egypt arrived in Spokane, Washington, on Monday June 8 to start final World Cup preparations at their confirmed base camp. The squad will train daily at Gonzaga University's Luger Field, hold an open session for limited ticketed fans there at noon on June 10, and stay about six days before travelling to Seattle on June 13 ahead of the Group G opener against Belgium on June 15.

Egypt lose 2-1 to Brazil in final World Cup warm-up; Salah makes injury return

· matches

Egypt fell 2-1 to Brazil in their last pre-tournament friendly at Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland. Bruno Guimaraes put Brazil ahead (7') before Mostafa Ziko levelled (11'), but Endrick won it after the break (52'). Mohamed Salah came on at half-time for his first minutes since his April hamstring injury, firing one shot; keeper Mostafa Shobeir made several strong saves.

Egypt confirm final 26-man World Cup squad; Aqtay Abdallah the only cut

· squad

Coach Hossam Hassan finalised Egypt's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, trimming his 21 May preliminary list of 27. ENPPI forward Aqtay Abdallah, who had earned his first senior call-up, was the only player left out before the team's departure for the United States. Mohamed Salah captains the side.

Egypt beat Russia 1-0 in final home friendly before World Cup

· matches

Egypt edged Russia 1-0 in their last home warm-up at Cairo International Stadium, with Mostafa Ziko heading home in the 65th minute from a Mohamed Hany cross. Mohamed Salah did not feature, having joined camp late, and Mohamed Abdelmonem returned from injury. Hossam Hassan used the game as a final squad assessment.

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Mohamed El ShenawyGKAl Ahly
Mostafa ShobeirGKAl Ahly
El Mahdi SolimanGKZamalek
Mohamed AlaaGKEl Gouna
Mohamed HanyDFAl Ahly
Tarek AlaaDFZED FC
Hamdi FathiDFAl Wakrah
Rami RabiaDFAl Ain
Yasser IbrahimDFAl Ahly
Hossam AbdelmaguidDFZamalek
Mohamed AbdelmonemDFOGC Nice
Ahmed FattouhDFZamalek
Karim HafezDFPyramids FC
Marwan AttiaMFAl Ahly
Mohanad LasheenMFPyramids FC
Nabil Emad DongaMFAl Najma
Mahmoud SaberMFZED FC
Ahmed ZizoMFAl Ahly
Emam AshourMFAl Ahly
Mostafa ZikoMFPyramids FC
Mahmoud TrezeguetMFAl Ahly
Ibrahim AdelMFNordsjaelland
Haissem HassanMFReal Oviedo
Mohamed SalahFWLiverpool
Omar MarmoushFWManchester City
Hamza AbdelkarimFWBarcelona B

Recent results

  • 2023-11-16 — EGY 6-0 DJI (qualification)
  • 2023-11-19 — SLE 0-2 EGY (qualification)
  • 2024-01-07 — EGY 2-0 TAN (friendly)
  • 2024-06-06 — EGY 2-1 BFA (qualification)
  • 2024-06-10 — GNB 1-1 EGY (qualification)
  • 2025-03-21 — ETH 0-2 EGY (qualification)
  • 2025-03-25 — EGY 1-0 SLE (qualification)
  • 2025-09-05 — EGY 2-0 ETH (qualification)
  • 2025-09-09 — BFA 0-0 EGY (qualification)
  • 2025-10-08 — DJI 0-3 EGY (qualification)
  • 2025-10-12 — EGY 1-0 GNB (qualification)
  • 2026-03-27 — KSA 0-4 EGY (friendly)
  • 2026-03-31 — ESP 0-0 EGY (friendly)
  • 2026-05-28 — EGY 1-0 RUS (friendly)
  • 2026-06-06 — BRA 2-1 EGY (friendly)
  • 2026-06-15 — EGY 1-1 BEL (group)
  • 2026-06-21 — NZL 1-3 EGY (group)
  • 2026-06-26 — EGY 1-1 IRN (group)
  • 2026-07-03 — AUS 1-1 EGY (round_of_32)
  • 2026-07-07 — ARG 3-2 EGY (round_of_16)

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