Egypt start World Cup against New Zealand with history on the line

Egypt open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on Monday, June 22, in Group G (1). The Pharaohs carry the weight of a frustrating record into the tournament: seven Africa Cup of Nations titles, zero World Cup wins. Manager Hassan has said the team wants to "show who we really are," but the first test comes against a New Zealand side that will see this as a winnable fixture. FIFA's decision to force Egypt to remove the seven stars from their shirt crest has added a layer of tension off the pitch. For Egypt, Monday is about more than three points, it is about ending a drought that has defined them on the global stage.