Cairo, Egypt – On a historic night, as celebrations erupted across Egypt from the provinces to the tournament stadiums, the Egyptian national team secured its place in the knockout stages for the first time in its World Cup history.
This came after a thrilling 1-1 draw against Iran. The match was part of the third and final round of group stage matches for the 2026 World Cup.
A historic journey towards the round of 32
The Pharaohs finished the group stage with a balanced performance, beginning with a valuable draw against Belgium.
This was followed by a resounding and well-deserved victory over New Zealand in the second round.
They concluded their campaign with a draw against Iran, securing their official qualification.
This achievement came under the technical leadership of coach Hossam Hassan,
who successfully guided the team through the group stage and confirmed
that the Egyptian national team has become a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.
Egypt in the World Cup records
In terms of statistics, the Egyptian national team maintained its 57th position in the all-time rankings of teams participating in the World Cup.
Throughout their history, the Pharaohs have played 10 World Cup matches,
achieving one victory, drawing four, and suffering five defeats.
Although the team still aspires to improve its ranking, reaching the second round
in this edition represents a significant leap forward in the history of Egyptian football.
Despite the presence of African teams with higher all-time rankings,
such as Morocco (30th) and Ghana (33rd), the 2026 World Cup marked a turning point in breaking the Pharaohs’ historical jinx,
placing them among the teams whose level has developed remarkably in recent years.
Clash with the Australian “kangaroo”
Following the conclusion of the third round of matches, attention immediately turned to the Round of 32,
where the Egyptian national team awaits a new challenge against their Australian counterparts.
The match is scheduled for next Friday at 9:00 PM Cairo time.
An atmosphere of anticipation and caution prevails within the Egyptian camp,
especially given that matches between African teams and Australia are always characterized by intense competition and high physicality.
With continued strong public support for the team, Hossam Hassan is placing great hopes on capitalizing
on the players’ fighting spirit to continue their World Cup journey.
He aims to write a new chapter of achievements in the history of the Egyptian national team.
His current generation has proven its ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
