Egypt - Iran / 2026 FIFA World Cup

Follow the LIVE broadcast of the Egypt vs. Iran match in Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on ŠPORT.sk! The match, which can also be watched live on JOJ play, kicks off at 05:00 AM.

The final round of Group G promises an incredibly intriguing clash between Egypt and Iran. While the African representative has already secured their spot among the tournament's top 32 teams after two matches, playing now "only" for the best possible seeding, Iran faces a significantly tougher situation. If the Asian footballers hope to advance to the knockout stage, they need a full three points, as a draw alone will most likely not be enough in the final reckoning.

Egypt demonstrated early on that they wouldn't just be making up the numbers at the championship. Against a favored Belgium, they took the lead midway through the first half and held onto a sensational result for a long time. After the break, they had several excellent opportunities to extend their lead but failed to convert, ultimately leading to the inevitable equalizer. While the Belgians were more offensively active towards the end, the African team was fortunate not to concede a second goal, and the 1-1 draw ultimately reflected a fair balance of power on the pitch.

The second match against New Zealand started very unfavorably for the "Pharaohs." Egypt conceded early in the game and couldn't find an adequate response before halftime. However, a completely different team emerged after the break. The Egyptian squad absolutely dominated proceedings, creating a plethora of scoring chances and turning the game around with three converted opportunities. Their deserved 3-1 victory definitively secured their place in the knockout phase.

In their opening match against New Zealand, Iran struggled to find their rhythm for a long time. After conceding a goal, they managed to equalize before halftime and created other promising chances, but a second goal was disallowed for offside. Even after the break, the Asian side faced a difficult situation, trailing 1-2 again. However, the Iranians showed immense mental strength and fighting spirit, managing to equalize for the second time in the match. After a wild 2-2 draw, they secured a crucial point, with neither team having a significant opportunity to snatch a victory in the closing stages.

In their second match against a strong Belgium, Iran had to focus primarily on exceptionally tight defense for most of the game. In the first half, they did manage to put the ball in the net, but the joy of the goal was once again cut short by an offside call. After the break, the team faced enormous Belgian pressure, paradoxically despite their opponents playing very offensively after a sending-off in an attempt to secure a win. The absolute heroes of this match were both goalkeepers, but Iran's Alireza Beiranvand deserves special mention. He made several fantastic saves, frustrated the Belgian attackers, and played a significant role in securing a highly valuable goalless draw.

The cards are clearly laid out before the final round, and therefore, a captivating yet strictly tactical duel is expected on the pitch. Egypt can afford to play patiently, from a solid defense, and calmly await their opportunities from quick counter-attacks. Conversely, Iran will increasingly need to think offensively as time progresses and open up their play, but at the same time, they will have to be extremely wary of their opponent's counter-attacks.