Egypt chase first World Cup win against New Zealand in Seattle

Egypt open their 2026 World Cup against New Zealand in Seattle, and the stakes are simple, the Pharaohs have never won a match at a World Cup finals. Belgium and Colombia are the other names in Group G, but Saturday's fixture is the one Hassan's side cannot afford to drop points in. FIFA's decision to force the seven stars off the Egypt crest has only sharpened the mood around the camp. Mike Penders, the Chelsea goalkeeper, is among the European-based names Hassan will lean on. New Zealand carry the same burden, they too are chasing a first World Cup win, which makes this a meeting of two teams desperate to rewrite their own history (1).