Mohamed Salah entered the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup insisting Egypt would stay focused on preparation and collective effort, a mindset that has now translated into a historic breakthrough after he inspired a 3-1 comeback victory over New Zealand at BC Place on Sunday, June 21, scoring once and providing an assist as Egypt recorded their first-ever World Cup win.
Salah had said before the tournament: “I think we just need to focus on our camp and just train hard, and we’ll see in the group,” adding, “We want to make the people proud, and we’ll do our best.”
That grounded approach has now taken on greater weight after a defining performance that shifted Egypt’s Group G campaign.
New Zealand struck first through Finn Surman in the 15th minute to put Egypt behind early, but Mostafa Zico brought the Pharaohs level in the 58th minute to restore belief.
Salah then took control of the contest, scoring in the 67th minute before turning provider in the 82nd minute as Trezeguet finished off the comeback to seal a landmark victory for Egypt on the World Cup stage.
“What happened today is history for us, as Egyptians,” Salah told the press after being named Man of the Match. “It seems to other teams, it’s okay, it’s fine. You see a lot of teams win games, but, for us, as Egyptians, it’s like, it doesn’t happen often.”
The result followed Egypt’s opening 1-1 draw with Belgium — where Salah also scored, leaving them top of Group G with four points and firmly in control of their qualification hopes.
According to The Athletic, Egypt now have “over a 99% chance” of reaching the knockout stage and a 61% chance of winning the group, a significant development for a nation that has only once reached the World Cup knockout phase, in 1934.
Egypt will complete their group stage campaign against Iran at Lumen Field on Friday, June 26, with momentum and belief growing around Salah’s leadership.
