Egypt’s historic run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended in the Round of 16, where Argentina scored three times in the final quarter-hour to beat the Pharaohs 3-2 after trailing 2-0. The match was played on Tuesday, 7 July, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
This guide recaps Egypt’s full route through the 2026 World Cup, from an unbeaten group stage and a penalty shoot-out win over Australia to the Round of 16 defeat that ended the campaign. It was still the deepest World Cup run in Egyptian football history — the country’s first-ever appearance in the knockout stage.
Egypt’s full run at the 2026 World Cup
Egypt were eliminated in the Round of 16, letting a 2-0 lead slip to lose 3-2 to Argentina. It capped a run that remains the best in the country’s World Cup history.
The Pharaohs finished second in Group G with five points, drawing 1-1 with Belgium in Seattle before beating New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver. A 1-1 draw with Iran then sealed their spot in the knockout stage for the first time ever.
Round of 32: past Australia on penalties
In the Round of 32, Egypt drew 1-1 with Australia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Egypt then won the resulting shoot-out 4-2 to set up the Round of 16 meeting with Argentina.
Round of 16: Argentina’s stoppage-time comeback
Yasser Ibrahim headed Egypt into a 15th-minute lead, and Mostafa Ziko doubled it in the 67th minute to put the Pharaohs within half an hour of a first-ever World Cup quarter-final. Argentina had barely threatened before that point.
Cristian Romero pulled a goal back in the 79th minute, Lionel Messi levelled it in the 83rd, and Enzo Fernandez struck the winner in stoppage time. Argentina’s 3-2 win sent them into the quarter-finals and ended Egypt’s tournament.
| Fixture | Date & venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium vs Egypt | 15 Jun — Lumen Field, Seattle | 1–1 |
| New Zealand vs Egypt | 21 Jun — BC Place, Vancouver | 1–3 (Egypt win) |
| Egypt vs Iran | 26 Jun — Lumen Field, Seattle | 1–1 |
| Australia vs Egypt | 3 Jul — AT&T Stadium, Arlington | 1–1 (Egypt win 4–2 on pens) |
| Argentina vs Egypt | 7 Jul — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 3–2 (Argentina win) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How far did Egypt go at the 2026 World Cup?
Egypt reached the Round of 16, the deepest run in the country’s World Cup history and its first-ever appearance in the knockout stage. The Pharaohs were eliminated on 7 July 2026, losing 3-2 to Argentina in Atlanta.
Who eliminated Egypt from the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina eliminated Egypt in the Round of 16, winning 3-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on 7 July 2026. Argentina went on to the quarter-finals.
What was the score, and how did the match unfold?
Egypt led 2-0 through goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko before Argentina scored three times in the last quarter-hour. Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernandez scored for Argentina, with Fernandez’s winner coming in stoppage time.
How did Egypt reach the Round of 16?
Egypt finished second in Group G, unbeaten, then beat Australia 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Round of 32. That result set up the Round of 16 tie against Argentina.
Sources
- FIFA — Argentina v Egypt 3-2, Round of 16 match centre
- FIFA — Argentina fightback stuns Egypt: match report and highlights
- ESPN — Argentina 3-2 Egypt, final score and match report
- Al Jazeera — Argentina vs Egypt 3-2: FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, as it happened
- Wego — 2026 FIFA World Cup travel guide
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