In a fairly evenly balanced encounter that mirrored the final score, Egypt drew 1-1 with Belgium in the first games for both teams in the 2026 World Cup.
Egypt scored the opener in the first half following a thunderbolt drive from midfielder Emam Ashour.
Belgium came back in the second to tie it when a low cross deflected off defender Mohamed Hani.
With Iran and New Zealand drawing 2-2, also in Group G, the four teams have one point apiece after their opening rounds.
Playing in a packed Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on Tuesday, Kevin De Bruyne, part of the now defunct Golden Generation, got the proceedings going with a shot that just went wide.
But it was Ashour who put Egypt, wearing an unusual all-white kit, ahead. Mohamed Salah had found Ashour in some space, which was at a premium. Ashour unleashed a low pile driver from 20 yards which gave Thibaut Courtois no chance.
Fresh international face Mustafa Zico almost made it two but his drive was saved by a stretching Courtois.
Towards the end of the half, a defensive blunder gave Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush an opportunity but his shot was blocked as well by the Belgian keeper.
Jeremy Doku, the winger for Manchester City, was a load full for Egypt’s defenders in the first half, with his famed trickery and explosive speed.
In the 52nd minute, De Bruyne was unlucky to see his direct shot bang off the right post.
Salah, who was celebrating his 34th birthday, could have received a precious present but his header, which hit the grass first, was palmed away by Courtois. The ensuing rebound was skewed by Ashour.
Marmoush had a semi-breakaway in minute 58, using his speed, but shot way off in the end with the Belgian defence bearing down.
Youri Tielemans shot a volley wide before De Bruyne could have done better from a close shot that went straight to Mustafa Shobeir.
A deflected shot from Marmoush almost went in.
Belgium tied it at one when Thomas Meunier’s low cross was turned into Egypt’s own net by Hani in the 66th minute, under pressure from substitute Romelu Lukaku who had an immediate impact.
Defender Brandon Mechele could have won it late for Belgium but his well-placed header was impressively parried by Shobeir.
At the final whistle, the two coaches Hossam Hassan and Rudi Garcia shook hands as is tradition. Hassan seemed to suggest that Egypt should have had a penalty after Ahmed Zizo was manhandled in the area. Garcia waved his finger to imply no, then as he turned away, made a hand gesture indicating Hassan was chirping too much.
However, Garcia had nothing but praise for Egypt after the game. “We faced one of the best teams in Africa,” Garcia told reporters after the match.
The Belgium coach also highlighted the quality in Egypt’s squad, singling out Salah, whom he coached in Roma, and Marmoush, for praise.
“They scored from their first shot. It is very difficult to come from behind against a team like that,” Garcia said.
“They have excellent players such as Salah and Marmoush, and they know how to make the difference.”
Hassan, who played for Egypt in the 1990 World Cup, hailed his team. “I am proud of my players, even if we had been defeated today. I am happy with the players implementing the tactical ideas I have worked on over the past two years,” he said in televised remarks after the game.
“I have always told them that we have to play a different kind of football and that we can play against any team,” he added.
“The most important thing for us is to qualify for the next round,” Hassan said.
“We still have a chance to improve in the coming games,” the coach added.
Both teams were backed by passionate fans on the USA’s west coast.
While the point gained by Egypt was invaluable, and will help fuel the drive to reach the knockout stage for the first time, the country has still not won a game in this, their fourth World Cup.
With 32 teams making the knockout round in this expanded World Cup, it’s easier than ever to advance.
The game was played at 10pm Cairo time but at noon local time amid a heat wave in Seattle.
The game did pit former Premier League rivals Salah and De Bruyne when they were playing for Liverpool and Manchester City respectively, and they did have their moments.
Maybe the result should not shock Belgium that much, considering that Egypt had beaten them three times in four exhibition matches.
Belgium are facing pressure to avoid repeating their performance in 2022 in Qatar, when they did not advance beyond the group stage. The Belgians finished third in 2018 in Russia.
It was a valuable one point for Egypt which did themselves proud. They are ranked 29 in the world, against a nation seeded 10th.
Egypt will next face New Zealand in their second Group G match on 22 June.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 18 June, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
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