Blab Sports
Egypt and Belgium Draw 1-1 in 2026 World Cup Opener
At the Seattle Stadium, the Pharaohs and the Red Devils traded goals in a 1‑1 draw that marked Egypt’s return to the World Cup stage after an eight‑year absence. Egyptian forward Emam Ashour struck the opening goal in the 12th minute, sending the home crowd into a rare euphoria, but a 65th‑minute own goal by Mohamed Hany salvaged a point for the hosts.
Egypt, making its first appearance since 2018 and only its fourth World Cup, has yet to register a win on the global stage. The nation’s record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles contrast sharply with its World Cup record, and the 1‑1 result leaves the team still chasing its first victory in the competition. The Pharaohs will face Iran and New Zealand in their remaining Group G fixtures.
Belgium, a 14‑time World Cup participant, entered the match with a squad that still boasts veterans Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku. The Red Devils, who finished third in 2018, were looking to improve on that performance in the expanded 48‑team format.
The first half was dominated by Belgium’s possession play. De Bruyne’s close‑range free‑kick rattled the post, and a shot from the edge of the box was cleared by Courtois. Ashour’s early strike came from a low, curling effort that slipped past Courtois into the bottom‑right corner, becoming only the second time an Egyptian team has taken the lead in a World Cup match.
In the second half, Egypt’s captain, Mohamed Salah, turned 34 and remained a key figure. He headed a cross from the left that Courtois cleared, and later set up the own goal. The own goal materialised when Hany, under pressure from Lukaku, inadvertently directed a cross into his own net.
With 65 minutes played, head coach Rudi Garcia made a tactical change, bringing Lukaku on for the final 15 minutes. Lukaku’s presence on the left wing forced Hany to commit an error that resulted in the own goal, sealing the draw.
Both teams now hold a point in Group G. Belgium will next face Iran, while Egypt will play New Zealand. The 2026 World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, is being hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Egypt’s manager, who has led the side since 2023, said the team will focus on the next two matches to try to secure a win. Belgium’s coaching staff, led by Garcia, will look to build on the points earned and aim for a top‑two finish in the group.
The match was broadcast worldwide and attracted a large audience in both the United States and Egypt. The result underscored how the expanded format has increased the number of opportunities for teams to compete on the world stage.
As the tournament progresses, both Egypt and Belgium will need to maintain consistency against their remaining group opponents. A victory for either side would be a significant milestone, particularly for Egypt, which has yet to win a World Cup match.
The next games for the teams are scheduled for Wednesday, when Egypt will take on New Zealand and Belgium will face Iran. The outcomes of those matches will determine whether either side can advance to the knockout stage.
The 2026 World Cup will conclude on July 19, 2026, after which the teams will either move on to the next round or return to their domestic leagues. The draw in Seattle sets the tone for a tournament that promises to be both unpredictable and historic.
Egypt, making its first appearance since 2018 and only its fourth World Cup, has yet to register a win on the global stage. The nation’s record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles contrast sharply with its World Cup record, and the 1‑1 result leaves the team still chasing its first victory in the competition. The Pharaohs will face Iran and New Zealand in their remaining Group G fixtures.
Belgium, a 14‑time World Cup participant, entered the match with a squad that still boasts veterans Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku. The Red Devils, who finished third in 2018, were looking to improve on that performance in the expanded 48‑team format.
The first half was dominated by Belgium’s possession play. De Bruyne’s close‑range free‑kick rattled the post, and a shot from the edge of the box was cleared by Courtois. Ashour’s early strike came from a low, curling effort that slipped past Courtois into the bottom‑right corner, becoming only the second time an Egyptian team has taken the lead in a World Cup match.
In the second half, Egypt’s captain, Mohamed Salah, turned 34 and remained a key figure. He headed a cross from the left that Courtois cleared, and later set up the own goal. The own goal materialised when Hany, under pressure from Lukaku, inadvertently directed a cross into his own net.
With 65 minutes played, head coach Rudi Garcia made a tactical change, bringing Lukaku on for the final 15 minutes. Lukaku’s presence on the left wing forced Hany to commit an error that resulted in the own goal, sealing the draw.
Both teams now hold a point in Group G. Belgium will next face Iran, while Egypt will play New Zealand. The 2026 World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, is being hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Egypt’s manager, who has led the side since 2023, said the team will focus on the next two matches to try to secure a win. Belgium’s coaching staff, led by Garcia, will look to build on the points earned and aim for a top‑two finish in the group.
The match was broadcast worldwide and attracted a large audience in both the United States and Egypt. The result underscored how the expanded format has increased the number of opportunities for teams to compete on the world stage.
As the tournament progresses, both Egypt and Belgium will need to maintain consistency against their remaining group opponents. A victory for either side would be a significant milestone, particularly for Egypt, which has yet to win a World Cup match.
The next games for the teams are scheduled for Wednesday, when Egypt will take on New Zealand and Belgium will face Iran. The outcomes of those matches will determine whether either side can advance to the knockout stage.
The 2026 World Cup will conclude on July 19, 2026, after which the teams will either move on to the next round or return to their domestic leagues. The draw in Seattle sets the tone for a tournament that promises to be both unpredictable and historic.
