Egypt open their 2026 World Cup campaign against Belgium on June 15 in Seattle, with Mohamed Salah leading the Pharaohs into their first World Cup since 2018. Group G draws them against Belgium’s experienced golden generation, an Iran side making their seventh appearance, and New Zealand. Advancing from this group is a realistic target, but it starts with one of the toughest opening fixtures Egypt could have drawn.
Group G Fixtures and Schedule
All Group G matches take place between June 15 and June 26, across stadiums in the United States and Canada.
| Date | Match | Stadium | Kick-off (ET) |
| June 15 | Belgium vs. Egypt | Lumen Field, Seattle | 3:00 PM |
| June 15 | Iran vs. New Zealand | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 9:00 PM |
| June 21 | Belgium vs. Iran | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 3:00 PM |
| June 21 | New Zealand vs. Egypt | BC Place, Vancouver | 9:00 PM |
| June 26 | Egypt vs. Iran | Lumen Field, Seattle | 11:00 PM |
| June 26 | New Zealand vs. Belgium | BC Place, Vancouver | 11:00 PM |
Official fixtures and standings: FIFA.com
Group G Standings
Standings will be updated after every matchday. The top two teams, and possibly the best third-placed team, advance to the Round of 32.
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| Belgium | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Egypt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Iran | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Egypt: Salah’s Last World Cup
Egypt return to the World Cup for the first time since 2018, when they were eliminated in the group stage after losing all three matches. That experience, and the eight-year wait since, gives this squad something to prove. Coach Hossam Hassan, Egypt’s all-time top scorer with 69 international goals, took charge in 2024 and guided the Pharaohs through African qualifying undefeated across ten matches.
Mohamed Salah captains the side at 33. His final season at Liverpool was difficult by his standards; seven goals and seven assists in 27 Premier League appearances, complicated by a public falling-out with coach Arne Slot that led to his departure from Anfield. He joins a new club after the World Cup. For now, his focus is on the tournament and on a national team legacy that remains his most important unfinished business.
Alongside Salah in attack, Omar Marmoush of Manchester City is expected to lead the line. He scored eight goals in 36 appearances for City this season. The most talked-about selection is 18-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim, on loan at Barcelona Atletic from Al Ahly, who earned a surprise call-up and brings youth and unpredictability to the squad. Notable absentee is Mostafa Mohamed, who was left out after a poor season with Nantes, where he managed four goals as the club was relegated from Ligue 1.
Egypt’s schedule suits a team that builds momentum. The opening game against Belgium is the hardest. If they can take something from that, the matches against New Zealand and Iran become very manageable.
Belgium: A Golden Generation’s Final Chance
Belgium arrive at the 2026 World Cup as one of the most experienced squads in the tournament. Their so-called golden generation, built around Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and a group of players who have spent the better part of a decade ranked in the world’s top five, has never won a major trophy. This is likely their final collective chance.
De Bruyne, now 34, remains one of the most technically gifted midfielders in world football. Jeremy Doku, 22, has emerged as Belgium’s most dangerous attacking threat after an excellent season at Manchester City. Lukaku, despite a difficult club career in recent years, remains a physical presence in attack with a strong international record. Coach Domenico Tedesco has continued the steady rebuild that followed Roberto Martinez’s departure.
Belgium open against Egypt in Seattle on June 15. They will be heavy favourites, but Egypt are not the team they were in 2018. The match will set the tone for the group.
Iran: Seven World Cups and Still Competitive
Iran make their seventh World Cup appearance, one of the most consistent qualifying records among Asian nations. Coach Amir Ghalenoei has been in charge since 2023 and led Iran to the Asian Cup semi-finals in 2023 before qualifying comfortably from Asia.
The squad is built around Mehdi Taremi, who plays for Olympiakos after spells at Porto and Inter Milan, and is Iran’s primary attacking threat. The squad is drawn largely from domestic Iranian clubs alongside a small number of players based in Europe and the Gulf.
Iran’s participation drew attention ahead of the tournament given the political context surrounding US-Iran relations, but FIFA confirmed their place in the draw and their spot in Group G stands. On the pitch, Iran are a disciplined side capable of making life difficult for any opponent.
New Zealand: Pacific Underdogs
New Zealand make their third World Cup appearance after 1982 and 2010. They qualified as OFC champions, the only realistic route for a Pacific nation into the World Cup. Their squad is drawn from leagues across Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
For Egypt, the match against New Zealand in Vancouver on June 21 is the one where three points are most achievable. New Zealand will be competitive, but the gap in quality between the two squads is significant.
Who Advances from Group G?
Belgium are the clear group favourites. Their squad has the experience and individual quality to top the group comfortably if they perform to their level.
Second place is Egypt’s to win or lose. Their schedule, difficult opener against Belgium aside, gives them two very winnable matches. Iran are beatable, New Zealand more so. If Salah finds his best form and Marmoush delivers in front of goal, Egypt have the quality to advance.
For Egypt, reaching the Round of 32 would be their best World Cup result since 1934, when they became the first African nation to qualify for the tournament. The squad has the ability. The group stage is where it gets decided.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does Egypt play at the 2026 World Cup?
Egypt play three group stage matches: against Belgium on June 15 in Seattle, against New Zealand on June 21 in Vancouver, and against Iran on June 26 in Seattle.
Which group is Egypt in at the 2026 World Cup?
Egypt are in Group G alongside Belgium, Iran and New Zealand. The group stage runs from June 15 to June 26.
Who is the Egypt coach at the 2026 World Cup?
Hossam Hassan, Egypt’s all-time top scorer with 69 international goals, has been in charge since 2024. He guided Egypt through African qualifying undefeated across ten matches.
Is Mohamed Salah playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Mohamed Salah captains Egypt at the 2026 World Cup. At 33, this is likely his final World Cup appearance. He left Liverpool after the 2025-26 season and will join a new club after the tournament.
Has Egypt ever reached the World Cup knockout stage?
Egypt have appeared at the World Cup three times: 1934, 1990 and 2018. They have never advanced beyond the group stage in the modern era. Reaching the Round of 32 in 2026 would be their best result since 1934, when they were eliminated in the first round by Hungary.
