FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look out for in New Zealand v Egypt 🇳🇿🇪🇬 | OneFootball

FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look out for in New Zealand v Egypt 🇳🇿🇪🇬 | OneFootball

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Padraig Whelan·21 June 2026

FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look out for in New Zealand v Egypt 🇳🇿🇪🇬

Article image:FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look out for in New Zealand v Egypt 🇳🇿🇪🇬

FIFA World Cup 26™ action continues on Sunday at BC Place Vancouver as New Zealand face off against Egypt.

Here is everything you need to look out for in the Group G encounter.


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Who is playing today? 👀

Group G remains one of the most open at the World Cup 26™ thanks to everyone sharing in the spoils on the opening matchday.

Motherwell midfielder Elijah Just carried his outstanding club form into the summer with a brace against IR Iran in an end-to-end 2-2 draw last Monday, as well as an Attacking Impact score of 8.8.

Meanwhile, Emam Ashour looked to have set Egypt on their way to a long overdue first ever World Cup™ win.  He also scored an 8.8 in the Attacking category of the FIFA Power Rankings, only for Romelu Lukaku to force an own goal off Mohamed Hany in a 1-1 draw.

Those results leave everything to play for.


Players to watch 🔥

Article image:FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look out for in New Zealand v Egypt 🇳🇿🇪🇬

Just stole the show for the All Whites on the opening matchday with two fine finishes and will likely be the subject of plenty of transfer interest in the wake of the tournament.

Although he didn't find the net, talisman Chris Wood was also key as his 41 high-intensity pressures in the opposition half were the most of any striker on matchday one, while he also became the first Kiwi to assist two goals at a World Cup™, setting up both for Just.

Egypt's main man Mohamed Salah has scored (two) and assisted (one) all of his country's last three World Cup™ goals and will look to carry on that streak.

In addition, the Pharaohs' 28 tackles were a high for any team from the first round of fixtures, with Mohanad Lasheen's eight also being a tournament high for an individual in one game.


Must-watch video 🎥

The New Zealand defender has been one of the most heartwarming stories of the World Cup™.


Fun facts 📊

  • This will be the first World Cup™ meeting between these sides and New Zealand's first such meeting against African opposition
  • New Zealand have drawn their last four World Cup™ fixtures, with only Belgium previously drawing five in succession, spread out across 1998 and 2002
  • Only Honduras (nine) have played more FIFA World Cup™ games without winning than Egypt (eight), who have drawn three and lost five, while leading in just two

Our prediction 🔮

  1. New Zealand 1-2 Egypt
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