Egypt defeated New Zealand 3-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 to secure its first-ever victory in the tournament, 92 years after making a debut in 1934. The win propelled Egypt to the top of Group G. Mohamed Salah was the standout performer, scoring a key goal, while Mostafa Ziko and substitute Mahmoud Trezeguet also found the net for the African side. The result not only boosted Egypt’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage, but also ended a long wait that had stretched across generations of players and fans.
Football is a passionately followed sport in Egypt, but repeated failures at the World Cup had remained a major disappointment for the nation. At BC Place, Egypt finally turned that dream into reality with a commanding second-half display after trailing early in the match. For Egypt, this victory meant more than just three points — it was a historic statement that connected different eras of Egyptian football, from the pioneers of 1934 to modern-day star Mohamed Salah.
The win leaves Egypt at the top of Group G with four points from two matches, following the 1-1 draw with Belgium in the opener. They will now face Iran in the final group-stage fixture.
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