Mohamed Salah is at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Egypt, and he is already shaping the Pharaohs’ campaign across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Salah captained Egypt and assisted his side’s goal in their opening Group G match, a 1-1 draw with Belgium on 15 June 2026.
For fans across the Gulf, Egypt and South Asia, the question now is when Egypt’s remaining matches kick off in your time zone, and whether it is worth flying out to see Salah in person. This guide answers both.
Is Mo Salah playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes, Salah is in Egypt’s squad and started the team’s tournament opener in Seattle, playing through to the 75th minute.
He set up Emam Ashour’s 19th-minute goal in the 1-1 draw with Belgium on 15 June, a match that fell on his 34th birthday.
Belgium levelled in the second half through a Mohamed Hany own goal, leaving the points shared. This is Salah’s second World Cup, after Russia 2018, and Egypt’s first appearance since then after they missed Qatar 2022, per the official FIFA profile of Salah and Egypt.
The Liverpool forward is the captain and focal point of a Pharaohs side coached by Hossam Hassan, and is expected to start Egypt’s remaining group games.
Why 2026 is Salah’s big moment
At 34, this is widely seen as Salah’s last realistic shot at a deep World Cup run with Egypt.
He went into the tournament as the all-time leading scorer in African World Cup qualifying, having passed the previous record of 18 goals held by Didier Drogba and others.
His double in the 3-0 win over Djibouti in October 2025 sealed Egypt’s place at the finals.
Egypt have never gone beyond the World Cup group stage, a record Salah and Hassan are openly trying to break, as set out in FIFA’s feature on Egypt’s unfinished business.
With all four Group G sides level on a point after matchday one, the New Zealand and Iran games are essential viewing. A win and a draw would likely be enough to send the Pharaohs through to the new round of 32.
Egypt’s fixtures and when to watch where you are
Egypt have two group games left, both against beatable opponents and both kicking off in the early hours for Gulf and South Asian viewers.
The fixtures and venues are confirmed on the official FIFA match schedule:
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand vs Egypt | Sunday 21 June | BC Place, Vancouver |
| Egypt vs Iran | Friday 26 June | Lumen Field, Seattle |
Here is when the New Zealand match kicks off in local time across the region:
| Region | Local kick-off time |
|---|---|
| Egypt | 4:00 AM, Mon 22 Jun |
| Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait | 4:00 AM, Mon 22 Jun |
| UAE and Oman | 5:00 AM, Mon 22 Jun |
| Pakistan | 6:00 AM, Mon 22 Jun |
| India | 6:30 AM, Mon 22 Jun |
| Bangladesh | 7:00 AM, Mon 22 Jun |
And the kick-off times for the decisive group finale against Iran:
| Region | Local kick-off time |
|---|---|
| Egypt | 6:00 AM, Sat 27 Jun |
| Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait | 6:00 AM, Sat 27 Jun |
| UAE and Oman | 7:00 AM, Sat 27 Jun |
| Pakistan | 8:00 AM, Sat 27 Jun |
| India | 8:30 AM, Sat 27 Jun |
| Bangladesh | 9:00 AM, Sat 27 Jun |
For the full match-by-match breakdown, including the knockout path that opens up if Egypt advance, see our dedicated guide to Egypt’s 2026 World Cup schedule and kick-off times.
How to watch Salah in person: getting to Seattle and Vancouver
Egypt’s remaining games are split between Vancouver and Seattle, two Pacific-coast cities about three hours apart by road.
Both are long-haul from the Gulf and South Asia, so it is best to lock in flights and rooms early as match-day demand rises.
For the Iran finale in Seattle, fly into Seattle–Tacoma International (SEA), reachable on one stop from the Gulf via Emirates through Dubai or Qatar Airways through Doha.
Compare stays on hotels in Seattle before prices climb around the 26 June fixture.
For the New Zealand match, fly into Vancouver International (YVR), well served from Gulf hubs including Dubai on Emirates and Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways.
Book a base from hotels in Vancouver, and keep an eye on live arrivals through the Wego flight tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mo Salah playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Salah captained Egypt and started the opening Group G match, assisting Egypt’s goal in a 1-1 draw with Belgium on 15 June.
When is Egypt’s next match?
Egypt face New Zealand on Sunday 21 June in Vancouver, then Iran on Friday 26 June in Seattle. Both kick off in the early morning Gulf and South Asia time.
Is this Salah’s last World Cup?
At 34, 2026 is widely expected to be Salah’s final World Cup. It is his second after Russia 2018, as Egypt missed Qatar 2022.
Where can I see the full Egypt schedule and kick-off times?
Our Egypt at the 2026 World Cup guide lists every fixture. It includes local kick-off times across the Gulf and South Asia, host cities and the knockout route.
Sources
- FIFA — Belgium vs Egypt match centre (1-1, 15 June 2026)
- Wikipedia — 2026 FIFA World Cup Group G (fixtures, results, standings)
- Al Jazeera — Egypt draw 1-1 with Belgium at World Cup
- FIFA — Mohamed Salah and Egypt’s unfinished business
- FIFA — Salah’s qualifying records and profile
- FIFA — 2026 World Cup match schedule, fixtures and stadiums
- Olympics.com — Salah double helps Egypt qualify for 2026 World Cup
- Lumen Field — Egypt vs Iran, FIFA World Cup 26 (26 June, 8:00 PM PT)
- timeanddate.com — Egypt daylight saving time 2026 (EEST, UTC+3 in June)
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
