VANCOUVER, CANADA / MENA Newswire / – Egypt recorded their first FIFA World Cup win with a 3-1 comeback victory over New Zealand in Group G at BC Place in Vancouver. The result ended Egypt’s long wait for a tournament victory. It also came against the lowest-ranked team in the 2026 World Cup field. New Zealand entered the tournament at No. 85 in the FIFA men’s ranking.
Egypt’s World Cup breakthrough came after a second-half comeback against New Zealand. (Credit – WAM)
New Zealand led in the first half through Finn Surman. Egypt responded after the break through Mostafa Zico, who scored in the 58th minute. Mohamed Salah then put Egypt ahead nine minutes later. Mahmoud Trezeguet added the third goal in the 81st minute. Salah also supplied the corner for Trezeguet’s header.
The win gave Egypt four points from two Group G matches. Egypt had opened with a 1-1 draw against Belgium. New Zealand stayed on one point after drawing 2-2 with Iran in its first match. Belgium and Iran had two points each after their 0-0 draw. Egypt finished the round at the top of the group.
Salah leads second-half response
The ranking gap framed the result. Egypt entered the match at No. 29 in the FIFA ranking, far above New Zealand. New Zealand also ranked lowest in Group G, behind Belgium, Iran and Egypt. New Zealand still scored first. Egypt then used three second-half goals to turn control into the final score.
Mohamed Salah delivered the key moments in the comeback. His goal gave Egypt the lead after Zico’s equalizer. His assist from a corner created the final goal for Trezeguet. Salah’s performance added a strong individual note to a result built against a lower-ranked opponent. It also gave Egypt its clearest attacking display of the tournament.
Egypt ends decades-long drought
Egypt’s World Cup record before the match included appearances in 1934, 1990 and 2018 without a victory. The result in Vancouver changed that record. It also came in Egypt’s fourth appearance at the tournament. The team scored three goals after halftime and avoided another winless result on the World Cup stage.
New Zealand has yet to win a World Cup match. The team entered 2026 with previous appearances in 1982 and 2010. Its latest defeat left it last in Group G. Egypt will close the group stage against Iran. New Zealand will face Belgium in its final group match, also in Vancouver.