Newsletters
Egypt started its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Belgium on Monday. Although the team’s winless streak at the tournament continues, the result did not dampen spirits across the country.
Egypt has never won a World Cup match in its four appearances. They first played in 1934, becoming the first African and Arab nation to compete in the tournament. It took 56 years for them to return, leaving Italy in 1990 without a win. In their most recent appearance in Russia in 2018, they lost all three group-stage games.
Egypt will now play Iran and New Zealand in Group G. Both matches give them a chance to earn their first-ever World Cup win. A good result in either game would be a big moment for Egyptian football.
A lot of focus before the tournament was on Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s top scorer, who turned 34 on the day they played Belgium. Many believe this is his last World Cup. Salah didn’t score in the match, but he was still a key part of Egypt’s attack.
Even though Egypt has struggled at the World Cup, they have a strong history in international football. They have won the Africa Cup of Nations seven times, more than any other country. This success has raised hopes as the tournament takes place in North America, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Fans gathered in Cairo neighborhoods like Heliopolis and Sharabiya to watch the match. After the final whistle, most people felt hopeful.
Many saw the performance against Belgium, one of Europe’s top teams, as a sign of progress. Taha Omar, a fan from Sharabiya, said it was the first time at a World Cup he had seen Egypt play positively instead of "just defend."
Egypt’s draw with Belgium was part of a broader advertising and media campaign before the tournament, in which players predicted they would advance past the group stage. It remains to be seen if the team can turn that momentum into points in the next few days.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
