Egypt defeated New Zealand 3-1 [1] on Monday in a group-stage match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 [3].
The result marks the first time Egypt has won a match at the World Cup, ending a drought that lasted 92 years [2].
Led by Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian national team secured the victory during the tournament hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico [4]. The win comes nearly a century after Egypt's inaugural appearance in the competition in 1934 [2].
Egypt controlled the match to finish with a 3-1 scoreline [1]. The victory represents a historic milestone for the team, which had previously struggled to secure a win on the global stage since its first entry into the tournament [2].
The match took place on June 22, 2026 [3], as part of the opening stages of the competition. The Egyptian squad's performance has provided a significant boost to the nation's footballing history, a legacy that now includes a win at the highest level of international competition [2].
“Egypt defeated New Zealand 3-1”
This victory is a symbolic breakthrough for Egyptian football, removing a decades-old psychological barrier. By winning for the first time since 1934, Egypt validates its current generation of talent and establishes a new precedent for African nations in the expanded World Cup format.


