Egypt has played in the FIFA World Cup before. They have never won a single match.
That’s the kind of stat that sticks with a fanbase. And it’s the exact monkey on Mohamed Salah’s back as he prepares to lead the Pharaohs into the 2026 tournament, where a match against New Zealand on June 21/22 represents perhaps the most winnable fixture Egypt has drawn in their World Cup history.
The weight of zero
Their most recent appearance came in 2018, where they exited with three losses and zero points.
Salah, now 34, captains a squad that’s been placed in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran. Egypt opens against Belgium on June 15, 2026. The New Zealand fixture a week later looks far more favorable on paper.
