SEATTLE — Egypt secured their progression to the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 1-1 draw against Iran in their final Group G fixture. While the result denied Egypt the top spot in the group, it confirmed their place in the knockout stages, where they are now scheduled to face Australia.
The match began with high energy, as Egypt established an early lead in the fifth minute through Mahmoud Saber. His powerful first-time strike caught Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand off guard, finding the net despite a defender's presence on the goal line. Iran, aware that a loss could end their tournament hopes, responded with urgency. They were handed a lifeline when Mehdi Taremi won a penalty, though the subsequent spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir.
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• Result: Egypt 1-1 Iran, Egypt finish 2nd in Group G
• Goals: Saber 5', Rezaeian 15'. Shobeir saved Taremi penalty
• Drama: Khalilzadeh VAR offside. Ezatolahi hit woodwork
• Next: Egypt vs Australia, R32. Iran wait on best 3rd spot
Iran’s persistence eventually paid off in the 15th minute. After Shobeir parried an initial shot from Milad Mohammadi, Ramin Rezaeian followed up to score from an incredibly narrow angle, leveling the score. The match remained tense, particularly after Egyptian star Mohamed Salah was substituted in the second half due to an apparent injury.
In the dying moments of the game, drama ensued when Iran’s Shoja Khalilzadeh thought he had scored a historic winner, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside following a VAR review. Shortly after, a strike from Saeid Ezatolahi hit the woodwork, allowing Egypt to hold on for a point.
While Egypt looks ahead to their match against Australia, Iran faces a nervous wait to see if their three points will be sufficient to rank among the eight best third-placed teams to progress to the knockout phase.
