Sunday Jun 07, 2026. 14:00
For nearly a century, the Pharaohs have haunted the World Cup without tasting victory, appearing in 1934, 1990, and 2018 for a combined record of seven matches with zero wins, two draws, and five defeats.
Now returning for a fourth tilt in 2026 after storming through African qualifying unbeaten, Egypt arrives with renewed hope anchored by the timeless brilliance of Mohamed Salah.
Drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand, the path looks kinder than previous campaigns, offering genuine chances to finally secure that elusive first win.
Defensively rock-solid after conceding just two goals across ten qualifying matches, Egypt’s pragmatic style could grind out results against winnable opponents.
Yet questions linger over their attacking depth beyond Salah and whether they can transition from African dominance to global punch.
As the only major nation staring down a potential four-tournament winless streak, 2026 represents Egypt’s clearest shot yet at rewriting their painful history.
With fixtures against New Zealand and Iran providing realistic targets for three points, pressure mounts on coach Hossam Hassan to deliver the breakthrough moment Egyptian football has craved for decades.
Anything less than at least one win would extend the agony and fuel fresh debates about whether Salah’s generation can finally conquer the tournament that has haunted the Pharaohs for so long
A single victory in North America would not only end the drought but ignite dreams of a historic knockout-stage breakthrough for the seven-time African champions.