Egypt began its 2026 World Cup campaign with a tough 1-1 draw with Belgium on Monday, June 15, at Lumen Field in Seattle, earning a valuable point in its opening Group G match.
Emam Ashour gave the Pharaohs the lead in the 19th minute with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area after a perfect pass from Mohamed Salah, before Belgium equalized in the second half through Mohamed Hani’s own goal after pressure from substitute Romelu Lukaku.
The result does not end Egypt’s long wait for its first World Cup victory, but it does give Hossam Hassan’s side a strong platform in a tough group that also includes New Zealand and Iran. Egypt will next face New Zealand at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver on June 22 Cairo time, where they will hope to achieve their first ever World Cup win.
Belgium entered the match as favourites, with Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Thibaut Courtois and Lukaku among the notable names in the squad. But Egypt started confidently, pressing early and trying to control the ball through short passes in the midfield.
De Bruyne almost opened the scoring in the seventh minute, as he sent a powerful shot that passed the left post, but Egypt responded with discipline and structure. Marwan Attia received a yellow card in the 12th minute, while Timothy Castagne received a yellow card two minutes later for a foul on Salah.
The Egyptian breakthrough arrived five minutes later. Salah found Ashour outside the penalty area, and the midfielder fired a powerful shot past Courtois to give Egypt a 1-0 lead and spark celebrations among Egyptian fans in Seattle and back home.
Belgium pressed for an equalizer and controlled periods of possession, but Egypt’s defense remained cohesive. Ahmed Fattouh received a warning in the 34th minute for stopping a Belgian counterattack, moments after Mostafa Zico came close to doubling Egypt’s lead with a powerful low shot that forced Courtois to move.
The Pharaohs had another golden opportunity before the end of the first half when Omar Marmoush went one-on-one with Courtois in stoppage time, but the Belgian goalkeeper blocked his shot. Moments before that, Doku wasted a dangerous opportunity for Belgium by shooting over the crossbar from close range.
Egypt led 1-0 in the first half after a disciplined and courageous performance in the first half, but Belgium came back from the break with greater strength.
Hassan’s team still has opportunities to expand the gap. In the 48th minute, Zico and Marmoush’s shots were blocked inside the penalty area, while Courtois blocked Salah’s header from close range in the 55th minute, before Ashour sent the ball over the crossbar.
Belgium’s best spell came soon after. De Bruyne hit the post with a dangerous free kick in the 53rd minute, then Mustafa Speir blocked it forcefully, as Belgium increased the pressure.
The equalizer came in the 66th minute, seconds after Lukaku came on instead of Charles De Kittilari. A dangerous Belgian attack from the right flank caused confusion inside Egypt’s penalty area, with Hany eventually turning the ball into his own net under pressure while Lukaku challenged for a cross.
Egypt made several changes after the equalizer, with Ramy Rabie replacing Ashour in the 71st minute, before Ahmed Sayed Zizo and Hamza Abdel Karim replaced Zico and Salah in the 76th minute.
Belgium continued to search for the winning goal, but Egypt’s defense line held firm. Speer made another important save late in the game, while Hamdi Fathi and Yasser Ibrahim were repeatedly called upon to impede Belgium’s attempts inside the area.
Despite the disappointment of conceding a goal in the second half, Egypt will be encouraged by a resilient performance against one of the strongest teams in Group G.
The Pharaohs now turn their attention to New Zealand, knowing that a win in their second match could put them in a strong position to compete for a historic place in the knockout stage.