FIFA WC 2026: Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 for historic first World Cup win
Synopsis
After 92 years of World Cup participation without a single win, Egypt finally broke through — defeating New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver with a second-half comeback featuring goals from Zico, Salah and Trezeguet. President El-Sisi personally posted his congratulations on X, calling it 'the first victory in the history of Egypt’s participations.' Egypt now lead Group G.
Key Takeaways
Egypt defeated New Zealand 3-1 on 22 June 2026 at BC Place, Vancouver — their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory .
Goals from Mostafa Zico (58th min), Mohamed Salah (67th min), and Trezeguet (82nd min) completed a second-half comeback.
Finn Surman had given New Zealand the lead with a header in the 15th minute .
Egypt now top Group G , two points ahead of Iran and Belgium; New Zealand are bottom with one point.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi posted congratulations on X , calling it a performance that 'honours and embodies the determination, will, and resolve' of Egypt.
Egypt made their World Cup debut 92 years and 25 days before this maiden victory.
Egypt recorded their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory on Monday, 22 June, defeating New Zealand 3-1 in a Group G clash at BC Place, Vancouver — ending a wait of 92 years and 25 days since the Pharaohs made their World Cup debut. The result sends Egypt to the top of Group G and has already drawn a personal congratulatory message from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
How the Match Unfolded
New Zealand started the brighter side, with Finn Surman giving the All Whites a deserved lead via a bullet header from a corner in the 15th minute. Egypt pressed for an equaliser before the break, with Mohamed Salah and Emam Ashour both going close, and Salah was denied again by goalkeeper Max Crocombe in the opening minute of the second half.
Egypt keeper Mostafa Shobeir kept his side in contention with a fine save to deny Callum McCowatt's flicked header. The turning point arrived in the 58th minute when Mostafa Zico nodded home a free header to level the scores for manager Hossam Hassan's side.
Nine minutes later, Salah struck the decisive blow — guiding a crisp low finish into the net after a slick team move to spark jubilant celebrations. Trezeguet added a third with eight minutes remaining to seal a famous win.
Group G Standings After the Result
Egypt now sit at the top of Group G, two points clear of Iran and Belgium. New Zealand remain at the bottom of the group with one point. The result reshapes the group's dynamics significantly heading into the next round of fixtures.
President El-Sisi's Reaction
Taking to social media platform X, President El-Sisi lauded the team's display of national character. “I congratulate the Egyptian national team and the fans of our great people on achieving the first victory in the history of Egypt’s participations in the World Cup competitions, with a performance that honours and embodies the determination, will, and resolve with which the sons of the homeland are endowed,” he posted.
He added: “This well-deserved victory represents a promising beginning for continuing the journey with confidence and ambition and raising Egypt’s name high in international forums.”
Historic Weight of the Win
Egypt first participated in the FIFA World Cup in 1934, making them one of the earliest African nations to feature in the tournament. Despite subsequent appearances, they had never won a group-stage match at the World Cup until now. This victory at FIFA World Cup 2026 — co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — marks a watershed moment for Egyptian football. Notably, the win was powered by a second-half comeback, underscoring the resilience that El-Sisi referenced in his post.
With momentum now firmly on their side, Egypt will look to build on this result and advance from Group G for the first time in their World Cup history.
Point of View
And with Mohamed Salah finally delivering on the sport's grandest stage, adds a narrative arc that transcends sport. The real test now is whether this group of players, many of them ageing, can sustain the momentum through a compressed group-stage schedule — or whether this remains a celebrated one-off rather than the launch of a genuine run.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Egypt ever won a FIFA World Cup match before?
No. The victory over New Zealand on 22 June 2026 is Egypt's first-ever win at the FIFA World Cup, coming 92 years and 25 days after their debut in the tournament in 1934.
Who scored for Egypt against New Zealand?
Mostafa Zico scored in the 58th minute, Mohamed Salah added the second in the 67th minute, and Trezeguet sealed the win with a third goal eight minutes from time.
Where does Egypt stand in Group G after the win?
Egypt top Group G with three points following the 3-1 win, sitting two points ahead of Iran and Belgium. New Zealand are at the bottom of the group with one point.
What did President El-Sisi say about Egypt's World Cup win?
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi posted on X calling it 'the first victory in the history of Egypt’s participations in the World Cup competitions.' He described it as a 'promising beginning' and praised the team's 'determination, will, and resolve.'
Where was the Egypt vs New Zealand FIFA World Cup 2026 match played?
The Group G match was played at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, one of the host venues for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
