Appearing for the 4th time at a final tournament of the World Cup, the Egyptian team achieved its first victory, 3-1 (0-1) against New Zealand, at the Vancouver stadium. The Africans thus climbed to first place in Group G.
The New Zealanders came into the game well and had their first chance to score in the 7th minute through Singh who shot wide. In the 14th minute, the Egyptian goalkeeper Shobeir rejected the ball sent by Just. After less than 120 seconds, Payne took a corner and Finn Surman scored with a header from about 7 meters from the Egyptian goal. The team from the Southern Hemisphere came close to doubling their lead (min. 19) after a mistake by Hany, but the Egyptian goalkeeper rejected the ball sent to the short corner by McCowatt.
The Africans responded through Marmoush (min. 27), whose shot from the edge of the box was difficultly blocked by Crocombe. Then, in the 35th minute, Salah missed the goal with a free kick from about 20 meters. In the extra time of the first half (min. 45+1), Ashour restarted incorrectly from a few meters away.
The Egyptians scored 3 goals in 25 minutes
After the break, the New Zealanders retreated, trying to defend the advantage, and respond on the counter-attack. Which allowed Egypt to dominate with authority. And get back on the scoreboard. After Salah (46 min) rebounded weakly from 6 yards and Crocombe saved, McCowatt (52 min) headed the ball over from 6 yards, but Shoubir had a reflex save.
The equalizer occurred in the 58th minute. After being blocked by Surman (min. 55), Zico found himself free 7-8 meters from the New Zealand goal and headed in Hany’s cross. Then, in the 67th minute, Salah put his team ahead, scoring after a combination with Zico. At this goal, the New Zealanders protested, citing a foul that was not awarded to them in the other half of the field.
After Fatouh’s shot (min. 80), Trezeguet (min. 82) settled the final result, scoring from a corner taken by Salah with a header into the short corner.
Huge misses in extra time
At the end of the match, two big misses were recorded. First, Zizo (min. 90+2) dribbled the goalkeeper, but Crocombe came back and blocked it. At the other goal, Bindon (min. 90+8), sent from 6 meters, but Shoubir had another save.
In the 90+9th minute, the Egyptians made their sixth change, after the concussion suffered by Hossam Abdelmaguid, who gave way to Mohamed Abdelmoneim.
Until last night’s success, Egypt were winless at the World Cup in eight games played (three draws, five defeats). On the other hand, New Zealand remain without success in the competition (four draws and four defeats).
The Netherlands and Japan finished tied, four goals scored after the break
In the last round, on June 27, at 7:00 (Romanian time), Egypt will play Iran, and New Zealand will have a more difficult match against Belgium.
New Zealand – Egypt 1-3 (1-0)
VANCOUVER (June 22, 2026) * Stadium: Vancouver * Spectators: 52,497 * Referee: Omar Al Ali (UAE) * Assistant referees: Mohamed Al-Hammadi (UAE), Taleb Al-Marri (Qatar) * Referee no. 4: Kevin Ortega (Peru) * Reserve Assistant Referee: Michael Orue (Peru) * Video referee: Mohammed Khamid (UAE) * Video assistant referees: Shaun Evans (Australia), Armando Villarreal (USA)
They scored: Finn Surman (min. 15), respectively Mostafa Zico (min. 58), Mohamed Salah (min. 67), Trezeguet (min. 82).
Yellow cards: Lashin (min. 17), Singh (min. 20), McCowatt (min. 34).
New zealand: 1. Maxime Crocombe – 2. Timothy Payne (4. Tyler Bindon, 85), 16. Finn Surman, 5. Michael Boxall, 13. Liberato Cacace (21. Jesse Randall, 76) – 6. Joe Bell, 8. Marko Stamenic – 11. Elijah Just (3. Francis De Vries, 85), 10. Sarpreet Singh (23. Ryan Thomas, 76), 20. Callum McCowatt (19. Benjamin Old, 66) – 9. Christopher Wood (capt.).
Unused reserves: 12. Alexander Paulsen, 22. Michael Woud – 15. Nando Pijnaker, 24. Callan Elliot, 26. Thomas Smith, 14. Alex Rufer, 25. Lachlan Bayliss, 7. Logan Rogerson, 17. Kosta Barbarouses, 18. Benjamin Waine.
Coach: Darren Bazeley.
Egypt: 23. Mostafa Shoubir – 3. Mohamed Hany, 2. Yasser Ibrahim, 14. Hamdy Fathy (5. Ramy Rabia, 42), 13. Ahmed Fatouh – 17. Mohanad Lashin, 19. Marawan Attia – 11. Mostafa Zico (9. Hamza Abdelkarim, 76), 10. Mohamed Salah (capt. / 4. Hossam Abdelmaguid, 84 / 6. Mohamed Abdelmoneim, 90+9), 8. Emam Ashour (25. Zizo, 84) – 22. Omar Marmoush (7. Trezeguet, 76).
Unused reserves: 1. Mohamed Elshenawy, 16. Mahdy Soliman, 26. Mohamed Alaa – 15. Karim Hafez, 24. Tarek Alaa, 18. Nabil Donga, 21. Mahmoud Saber, 12. Haissem Hassan, 20. Ibrahim Adel.
Coach: Hossam Hassan.
Group G
Matches played
June 15, 2026
Belgium – Egypt 1-1
June 16, 2026
Iran – New Zealand 2-2
June 21, 2026
Belgium – Iran 0-0
June 22, 2026
New Zealand v Egypt 1-3
Ranking
1. Egypt 4 points (+3)
2. Iran 2 points (0)
3. Belgium 2 points (0)
4. New Zealand 1 point (-3)
Next games
June 27, 2026
7:00 a.m.: Egypt – Iran
7:00 a.m.: New Zealand – Belgium.
