Celebrations erupted across Egypt and among Egyptian communities abroad after the national team defeated New Zealand 3-1 in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, moving the Pharaohs to the brink of the Round of 32.The result sparked celebrations across Egypt, where many fans stayed up into the early morning hours to watch the match because of the time difference. الكوريه الان pic.twitter.com/mE6IUPqKO1— Ahmed (@Ahmed_Abrass) June 22, 2026
Sunday’s win marked Egypt’s first in World Cup history. The team had previously qualified for the tournament three times — in 1934, 1990 and 2018 — but had never won a game before the 2026 World Cup. Should the team advance to the Round of 32, it would mark Egypt's first appearance beyond the group stage. فرحة 🇪🇬❤️#اسكندرية #منتخب_الفراعنة pic.twitter.com/KqpdLzkjYz— SAADOUN | سعدون 🎬🇪🇬 (@SaadounFilm) June 22, 2026
The celebrations stretched beyond Egypt, with fans also marking the victory in Gaza and New York City.
Palestinian football fans, displaced from their homes that were destroyed by Israeli military strikes, watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group G match between Belgium and Egypt on a giant screen set up at the Nuseirat Refugee Camp in central Gaza, on June 15, 2026. (Photo by Eyad Baba / AFP via Getty Images)
