Egypt recorded their first ever World Cup victory on Sunday, beating New Zealand 3-1 at the 2026 tournament in a result that required a full second-half reversal after falling behind early.
Finn Sørman put New Zealand ahead in the 15th minute, and Egypt went into half-time trailing despite repeated attempts from Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush and Mustafa Zizo. Goalkeeper Mustafa Shobeir kept the deficit to one goal, denying New Zealand any further reward before the break.
Egypt were a different side after the interval. Zizo levelled with a powerful header in the 58th minute, converting a precise cross from Mohamed Hany. Salah then put Egypt in front for the first time in the 67th minute, finishing a through ball from Zizo. Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet completed the turnaround in the 82nd minute, heading home a Salah corner to make it 3-1.
The result moves Egypt to the top of Group 7 on 4 points. Belgium and Iran sit behind them on 2 points each, with New Zealand on 1.
It is the first time Egypt have won a game at any World Cup in their history. The country has appeared at the tournament before but had never taken three points. Sunday’s performance, built on Shobeir’s first-half solidity and a clinical second-half display involving several of Europe’s most prominent Egyptian players, gave the current generation a record no previous squad had managed.
