Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The Egyptian national football team discovered the identity of its group-stage opponents for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the draw held Friday evening at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The ceremony placed Egypt in Group G alongside Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand, setting the stage for a challenging yet balanced path in the expanded global tournament.
Representing Egyptian football at the draw ceremony were Khaled El-Dardirli, Vice President of the Egyptian Football Association, national team head coach Hossam Hassan, and team director Ibrahim Hassan. Their presence signaled Egypt’s ambition to make a strong impression in its return to the world’s biggest football stage.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the largest edition in the competition’s history, featuring 48 teams and running from June 11 to July 19. With more nations participating and a revamped format, the tournament promises an unprecedented number of matches, higher global engagement, and intense competition across all groups.
Egypt’s last appearance at the World Cup came in the 2018 tournament in Russia. Now, with a new technical staff and renewed aspirations, the Pharaohs will aim to progress beyond the group stage for the first time in their history.
Egypt’s Group-Stage Fixtures at the 2026 World Cup
• Matchday 1: Egypt vs. Belgium – Monday, 16 June 2026
• Matchday 2: Egypt vs. New Zealand – Sunday, 21 June 2026
• Matchday 3: Egypt vs. Iran – Friday, 26 June 2026
Belgium, long considered one of Europe’s strongest sides, will provide a stern opening test for Egypt. The second fixture against New Zealand is viewed as a critical opportunity for the Pharaohs to collect points, while the final match against Iran, a consistently competitive Asian powerhouse could prove decisive in determining qualification from the group.
As anticipation builds, Egyptian fans will be watching closely in the months ahead as the national team intensifies its preparations for what promises to be a historic World Cup campaign.
