FIFA 2026: Iran’s World Cup hopes hang in balance after draw with Egypt

SEATTLE: Iran will have to wait to discover whether they have secured a place in the World Cup knockout stage after battling back to earn a 1-1 draw against Egypt in their final Group G match on Friday.

The result ensured Egypt advanced to the last 32 after finishing second in the group with five points, level with Belgium but behind on goal difference. Iran ended third with three points and must now rely on results elsewhere to qualify as one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams.

Egypt made an ideal start, breaking the deadlock in the fifth minute through Mahmoud Saber.

Iran responded quickly, however, with defender Ramin Rezaeian drawing his side level just nine minutes later after finding the net from a difficult angle.

The match remained open throughout, with Iran creating several opportunities to snatch victory.

Mehdi Taremi saw his first-half penalty saved before later striking the crossbar with a powerful header as Iran pushed for the winning goal.

The drama continued deep into stoppage time when Shoja Khalilzadeh appeared to have scored what would have been a decisive winner in the 93rd minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after the assistant referee raised the flag.

The draw leaves Egypt safely through to the knockout rounds, while Iran’s fate will depend on the outcome of other group matches to determine whether their three-point tally is enough to earn one of the remaining places in the last 32.