FIFA World Cup 2026 Egypt: Schedule, How to Watch, History & Record
Egypt is back at the World Cup for the fourth time. The Pharaohs return after missing Qatar 2022. Mohamed Salah leads the team and this may be his last shot at making history.
Hossam Hassan is the head coach. He played at the 1990 World Cup and now leads Egypt as manager. He is the first person to take Egypt to the World Cup as both a player and a coach.
Egypt World Cup 2026 Schedule (Local Time)
Egypt plays all three group games in Seattle and Vancouver. The times below are in Egyptian local time (EET / UTC+2).
| Date | Match | Venue | Egyptian Time (EET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 15, 2026 | Egypt vs Belgium | Lumen Field, Seattle | 22:00 |
| June 21, 2026 | New Zealand vs Egypt | BC Place, Vancouver | 03:00 (June 22) |
| June 26, 2026 | Egypt vs Iran | Lumen Field, Seattle | 06:00 (June 27) |
The first game kicks off at 10 PM. The second and third are overnight watches for Egyptian fans. Set the alarm early for both.
Iran update: Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup is currently in serious doubt due to ongoing military conflict in the Middle East. FIFA is monitoring the situation. This page will update as news develops.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 in Egypt
beIN Sports holds exclusive broadcast rights across the MENA region including Egypt. The network shows all 104 matches with Arabic and English commentary options available.
beIN Sports reaches Egyptian viewers through satellite and cable. CNE (Cable Network Egypt) subscribers should already have beIN Sports in their package. No separate signup is needed if you already have an active subscription.
Live Streaming Options for Egypt Fans
beIN CONNECT is the official streaming app for beIN Sports. It works on iOS, Android, Smart TV and desktop. Your existing beIN Sports subscription covers full app access at no extra cost.
FIFA+ is a free option for highlights and select coverage. It requires no subscription and works on most devices.
Fans traveling outside Egypt may face geo-blocks on beIN CONNECT. A VPN connecting to an Egyptian server can restore access to your home stream. Check your provider’s terms before using one.
How to Listen to the World Cup 2026 in Egypt
beIN CONNECT carries live audio streams for major matches through the app. Egyptian State Radio (Maspero) may also carry commentary for Egypt’s group games on FM and online stream. Check the Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU) closer to June 2026 for confirmed match coverage.
Egypt World Cup History & Record
Egypt made history at the very first World Cup they entered. In 1934 in Italy they became the first African and Arab nation to compete at the World Cup.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Appearances | 4 (1934, 1990, 2018, 2026) |
| First Appearance | 1934 (Italy) |
| All-Time Record | W0 D2 L5 (7 matches) |
| All-Time Top Scorer | Hossam Hassan (69 international goals) |
1934: Egypt beat Mandatory Palestine 11-2 on aggregate to qualify. They lost 4-2 to Hungary in Naples. Abdulrahman Fawzi scored twice and became the first African to score at a World Cup. A third goal was disallowed for offside in a decision that remains disputed to this day.
1990: Egypt returned after a 56-year gap. They drew 1-1 with the Netherlands and 0-0 with Republic of Ireland. They lost 1-0 to England with Mark Wright scoring in the 58th minute. Egypt conceded only two goals across three games.
2018: Egypt returned after a 28-year absence with Salah leading the attack. He had picked up a shoulder injury in the Champions League final weeks before the tournament. Egypt lost all three group games: 0-1 to Uruguay, 1-3 to Russia and 1-2 to Saudi Arabia. Salah scored twice. Goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary came on against Saudi Arabia at age 45 and became the oldest player in World Cup history. Egypt finished bottom of Group A with zero points.
Egypt has never won a match at the World Cup finals. That record of W0 D2 L5 is a major motivating factor going into 2026.
Egypt World Cup Predictions and Analysis
Egypt qualified by finishing top of CAF Group A unbeaten. They won eight of ten matches and drew the other two. Their goal difference was plus 18. Salah scored nine goals in qualifying alone.
Group G is a winnable draw for Egypt. Belgium is the toughest opponent. New Zealand is the most beatable side. The Iran situation is still developing.
Strengths: Salah is a world-class match-winner. Omar Marmoush at Manchester City brings elite Premier League experience. The team kept clean sheets in seven of ten qualifying matches.
Weaknesses: Egypt have never won a World Cup match. The mental barrier is real. Both the second and third group games kick off in the early hours for home fans.
Advancing past the group stage for the first time is a realistic and genuine target. Salah turns 34 during the tournament (born June 15, 1992). This is almost certainly his last World Cup. Egypt will be motivated beyond any previous campaign.
Egypt FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
Does Egypt need a visa to attend World Cup matches in the USA?
Egyptian citizens need a B-1/B-2 tourist visa to enter the United States. Egypt is not part of the US Visa Waiver Program. Apply through the US Embassy in Cairo at cairo.usembassy.gov well ahead of June 2026. Processing times can take several weeks. For the Vancouver match Egyptians also need a Canadian visitor visa.
Can Egyptian fans buy tickets for the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. FIFA sells tickets through fifa.com/tickets. Tickets are tied to your FIFA account. The FIFA Ticket Resale platform is the only safe secondary option. Avoid unofficial resellers as scams are common around major tournaments.
Is there a fan zone in Egypt for the World Cup?
Fan zones are organized by local authorities and the Egyptian Football Association. Check efa.com.eg and your city council pages closer to June 2026. Major venues in Cairo such as Al Azhar Park have hosted public screenings in past tournaments.
What is Egypt’s nickname and what does it mean?
Egypt’s national team is called the Pharaohs. The name refers to the ancient rulers of Egypt. The nickname is widely used in Arabic as “Al-Faraaena.”
Has Egypt ever won a match at the World Cup?
No. Egypt has played seven World Cup matches across three tournaments and never won. They drew twice in 1990 and lost the other five. Winning a World Cup match for the first time is one of the biggest goals of the 2026 campaign.
Who is Egypt’s all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifying?
Mohamed Salah. He scored 20 goals in African World Cup qualifying across multiple campaigns. That makes him the all-time top scorer in CAF qualifying history surpassing Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o.
Will this be Mohamed Salah’s last World Cup?
Salah turns 34 during the 2026 tournament. He has not officially retired from international football. Most observers expect this to be his final World Cup. After qualifying he said: “I’m so happy. I hope we can make Egypt proud.”
