Egypt secured a historic place in the round of 32 for the 2026 World Cup after a tense 1-1 draw with Iran in their final Group G match, setting up a knockout showdown with Australia.
The Pharaohs finished second in the group with five points, equal to Belgium but behind the Red Devils on goal difference after Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 in the other match on the final day.
Egypt will face Australia, runner-up in Group D, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 3. The match will be Egypt’s first match in the World Cup knockout stages.
Mahmoud Saber gave Egypt a perfect start in Seattle and scored from close range in the fifth minute after confusion inside Iran’s penalty area.
Iran had an immediate opportunity to respond four minutes later when Mohamed Abdel Moneim brought down Mahdi Taremi inside the penalty area. But goalkeeper Mostafa Shabir made a decisive save to deny Al-Tarmi a penalty kick and preserve Egypt’s lead.
The postponement did not last long.
Iran equalized in the 14th minute through Ramin Rezaian, who responded quickly inside the area and shot the ball into the net after Egypt failed to ward off the threat.
Egypt’s difficult opening continued when Abdel Moneim left shortly after due to a muscle injury and was replaced by Yasser Ibrahim.
The Pharaohs gradually settled down after a hectic start, regaining possession and trying to create chances through Mohamed Salah, Mahmoud Trezeguet and Mustafa Zico. Trezeguet tested Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand with a long-range shot, while Egypt also threatened from a series of corner kicks.
Hossam Hassan made two substitutions at the beginning of the second half, introducing Omar Marmoush and Marwan Attia instead of Saber and Imam Ashour, as Egypt sought to add more energy and offensive threat.
Egypt started the second half strong. Trezeguet had two big chances in the opening minutes after the start of the second half. The first was saved by Beiranvand after an assist from Salah, before another effort was blocked by Iran’s defense after Salah created the opening again.
Ahmed Sayed Zizou came on for Salah in the 57th minute, while Hamza Abdel Karim came on for Zico later in the first half as Egypt continued to push for the winning goal.
However, Iran remained dangerous on the counter-attack, and the final minutes brought more drama.
Ahmed Fattouh suffered a knee injury in the 82nd minute, but remained on the field as Egypt had already used all of its substitutions. Then Mohannad Lashin was warned in stoppage time, receiving his third yellow card in the group stage and being excluded from Egypt’s next match against Australia.
Iran thought it had won the match in the 95th minute when Shojaei Khalilzadeh scored, but the Video Assistant Referee intervened to disallow the goal due to offside.
The decision ensured that Egypt would survive the tie, with the final whistle blowing nine minutes into stoppage time.
Egypt’s group stage campaign saw them draw 1-1 with Belgium, achieve their first ever win in a World Cup finals with a 3-1 win over New Zealand, and draw with Iran.
While Belgium’s superior goal difference denied Egypt top spot in Group G, the Pharaohs reached the knockout stage for the first time in their World Cup history.
The next challenge is against Australia, with a place at stake in the round of 16.