FIFA World Cup: Egypt makes history with 3-1 comeback win

Egypt had its first-ever FIFA World Cup win after beating New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver.

It was a historic night at Vancouver’s BC Place on Sunday, with Egypt taking a 3-1 comeback victory and their first-ever win in a FIFA World Cup match.

BC Place saw another sellout, filling 52,497 seats for its third straight full house.

Fans and match spectators were treated to an eventful affair, seeing New Zealand jump to an early lead on a header from Finn Surman, but Egypt stormed back in the second half, highlighted by a goal from superstar Mohamed Salah that made the score 2-1.

New Zealand is winless in the tournament’s history as well and has another chance to break that streak on Friday against Belgium.

2026 FIFA World Cup action returns to BC Place on Wednesday at 12 p.m., when Canada plays Switzerland for the top spot in Group B.

Here are some highlights:

8:08 p.m. PT: ‘It’s incredible’: Salah speaks on the win

Mohamed Salah caught up with reporters after the match to explain how it felt to help his country make history.

The star heard cheers from fans filtering out of BC Place, acknowledging the win and looking forward to what comes next.

Egypt now leads Group G with four points, and next faces Iran in Seattle on Friday.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

8 p.m. PT: A comeback and a historic win

Both sides entered tonight’s match at BC Place without a World Cup win to their name, and Egypt leaves the pitch no longer a member of the winless club.

New Zealand will have another chance to get a win on the board on Friday against Belgium.

Egypt’s stars were their best players, as emphasized by Mohamed Salah’s 67th-minute strike to take the 2-1 lead.

Salah is second all-time in national team goals for Egypt, behind the squad’s manager, Hossam Hassan.

Red-shirted Egyptian fans cheered loudly in the final minutes in celebration of their team’s victory.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

7:46 p.m. PT: Salah done for the night

Mohamed Salah’s night is over.

The Egyptian star was substituted in the 84th minute to a loud ovation from the crowd at BC Place, with Hossam Abdelmaguid replacing him.

The Canadian Press

7:41 p.m. PT: Closing in on a historic finish. 3-1 Egypt

The Pharaohs have taken a 3-1 lead at 82 minutes in on a header from Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrah Hassan, also known as Trézéguet, just after the forward subbed in for a teammate.

Goals from Zico and Mohamed Salah flipped the script after the first half, which saw New Zealand come out with the lead.

If their squad can hold the lead, Sunday’s match will make history for Egypt, marking their first win in a FIFA World Cup match.

According to TSN, tonight is the first time Egypt has scored three goals in a World Cup match, as well.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

7:39 p.m. PT: Another sellout

It’s an announced sellout of 52,497 at BC Place for this Group G match between New Zealand and Egypt.

All three games at Vancouver’s World Cup venue have been sellouts.

The Canadian Press

7:34 p.m. PT: Second hydration break

Egypt heads into a second-half hydration break with a 2-1 lead over New Zealand.

The Pharaohs struggled to capitalize on scoring chances and produce shots on target in the first half, but the All-Whites couldn’t hold them back anymore.

Egypt is controlling 59 per cent of possession and has produced 15 total shots, four of which were on target.

The Egyptians made two substitutions at the break.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

7:27 p.m. PT: Mo Salah scores

Both squads are trading scoring chances after Egypt’s tying goal, but Salah’s strike 67 minutes into the match is the one that takes the lead.

BC Place erupted after the Egyptian star scored.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

7:18 p.m. PT: Egypt evens the score

Mostafa Mohamid Zaki Abdelaraouf, better known as Mostafa Zico, scored the tying goal for Egypt after a pressure-filled second half for the Pharaohs.

The header from Zico came at the 58-minute mark.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

7:16 p.m. PT: Close call for Egypt

New Zealand came close to making it 2-0 in the 52nd minute when Marko Stamenic found Callum McCowatt with a lofted pass into the box, but Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy tipped McCowatt’s header over the bar.

The Canadian Press

7:05 p.m. PT: Second half play underway

New Zealand and Egypt have arrived at the second half in Sunday’s Group Stage matchup.

Both teams are still looking for their first FIFA World Cup win in their country’s respective histories.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

6:55 p.m. PT: Surman sharp so far

Along with scoring the only goal of the first half, New Zealand defender Finn Surman showed his value at the other end of the pitch, repeatedly tracking down and frustrating Egypt’s dangerous Omar Marmoush.

The Canadian Press

6:49 p.m. PT: Holding strong at half

The two squads have arrived at halftime at BC Place, and New Zealand holds the lead off the early header from Finn Surman.

Both sides have had their chances, and Egypt still has the edge in possession, but New Zealand’s edge has come in getting more of their shots on target.

Egypt has three free kicks so far, but none have created a dangerous scoring chance. New Zealand has nine fouls and two yellow cards so far.

Today’s game marks the first time Egypt has ever gone into halftime behind, according to TSN.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

6:35 p.m. PT: Egypt pressures

A New Zealand slide tackle drew the yellow card, and Mohamed Salah ended up with the shot after a deceptive setup from Egypt on the free kick.

The shot missed its target, and Egypt keeps vying for the tying goal.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

6:30 p.m. PT: Off Campus stars wave to the crowd

Stars of the hit Amazon Prime show Off Campus take in the match at BC Place.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

6:22 p.m. PT: Hydration break

The two squads stop 22 minutes in to hydrate. Possession has been slightly in Egypt’s favour, but New Zealand has been putting far more pressure on its opposition around the net.

The All-White have five shots, three of which were on target, while the Pharaohs have taken three shots, none of which hit the net.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

6:15 p.m. PT: All-Whites strike first

New Zealand has jumped to an early lead at BC Place. The goal coming from Finn Surman came at the 15-minute mark.

It was New Zealand’s second shot on target of the match. A corner kick sent the ball near the goalkeeper, and the All-Whites wasted no time, with Surman getting the header to put one on the board.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

6:01 p.m. PT: Match underway

Both squads are finding a feel for the pace of the game, and Egypt looks to capitalize on possession early.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

6 p.m. PT: Ticket situation

Game on. The Group G match between Egypt and New Zealand has kicked off at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium.

While no tickets were available through FIFA’s World Cup ticket portal three hours before kickoff, small pockets of empty seats remain visible in the 52,000-seat stadium, which recorded sellouts for its first two tournament matches.

The Canadian Press

5:45 p.m. PT: Just about time

Fans have filled the seats at BC Place, and it’s almost time for Egypt and New Zealand to kick off.

Egypt is the heavy favourite, according to TSN. Mohamed Salah is warming up, and fans are on their feet, chanting already.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

5:30 p.m. PT: Will we have a winner?

Both New Zealand and Egypt are winless in the FIFA World Cup. Barring a tie, one of those winless streaks could come to an end tonight at BC Place.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

5:25 p.m. PT: Salah is in the house

Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah received a thunderous ovation from the BC Place crowd when he was shown on the stadium scoreboard during warm-ups.

The former Liverpool star is a four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner, the league’s all-time leading foreign scorer and fourth on the Premier League’s all-time scoring list.

The Canadian Press

5 p.m. PT: All-Whites starting XI

New Zealand has announced its starting lineup an hour before the match.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

4:40 p.m. PT: New Zealand in the house

New Zealand has arrived at BC Place. Video from the team’s official X account shows its players heading to the dressing room with just over two hours to go before the match.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

4:30 p.m. PT: Starting XI for Egypt

Egypt has announced its starting lineup 90 minutes before kickoff.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

4:20 p.m. PT: New Zealand march arrives

Supporters of the New Zealand All Whites have almost completed their march to BC Place.

4 p.m. PT: Egypt fans out in force

Fans have begun pouring into BC Place in Vancouver for a 9 p.m. ET match between Egypt and New Zealand.

The amount of New Zealand jerseys and flags along the stadium’s concourse appears to pale in comparison to the crowd of Egypt supporters.

The Canadian Press

3:04 p.m. PT: Pricey resale tickets up for grabs

Three hours before kickoff, FIFA’s ticketing portal showed no tickets available. However, its resale platform had more than 350 tickets listed, with prices starting at $603.80.

The Canadian Press

2:45 p.m. PT: New Zealand fans take over pub

Before marching to BC Place to cheer on the All Whites, New Zealand fans decked out in costumes and draped in flags packed a pub in Gastown.

Lisa Steacy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

2 p.m. PT: Park filled with Egypt supporters

East Vancouver’s Jonathan Rogers Park is home to a gathering of Egypt fans hours before their matchup with New Zealand.

Masses of fans showed up to cheer, dance, and build the energy in support of the Pharaohs, who have never won a FIFA World Cup match before.

Expect this crowd of Egypt fans to march past Science World as BC Place begins to fill ahead of kickoff.

Fans of the All Whites, New Zealand’s squad, are expected to congregate in Gastown.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

1 p.m. PT: Where the teams stand

Egypt is the heavy favourite, according to TSN, and brings star striker and national team captain Mohamed Salah to the city. Salah plays club soccer for Liverpool FC of the English Premier League — winning the Premier League Golden Boot four times as the league’s leading goal scorer.

Salah and Belgian star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne are among the biggest names playing in Vancouver during the Group Stage.

New Zealand is back in the FIFA World Cup for the third time, and the first time since 2010, while Egypt qualified for the first time since 2018.

Neither side has ever won a World Cup match, losing or tying every one so far.

James Paracy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

12:00 p.m. PT: Big crowds expected at Canada Soccer House for Belgium vs. Iran

Mounties in North Vancouver say they are expecting large crowds at Canada Soccer House in North Vancouver—but not for the New Zealand vs. Egypt match.

Spokesperson Cpl. Mansoor Sahak posted to social media, reminding fans there would be a high-visibility police presence at the family friendly watch party.

The North Shore has a large Iranian community, and the last time the country played, the watch party was so packed police had to turn people away.

Lisa Steacy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

11:50 p.m. PT: 15,000 expected to cheer on Egypt

Hany Elheniedy, president of the Egyptian Canadian Society of BC, says he expects 15,000 Egyptian fans in BC Place after supporters came out in force in nearby Seattle, Wash., last Monday.

Supporters will be meeting at a park in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood at 1 p.m. PT and will march to BC Place ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff.

The Canadian Press

11:45 a.m. PT: Flying Kiwis to assemble in Vancouver

Hayden Burford, a member of New Zealand supporters group The Flying Kiwis, says they’ll be meeting at two pubs in the Gastown neighbourhood before their 4 p.m. march to the stadium.

“Let’s get together and just celebrate being Kiwis and celebrate being in a World Cup. It’s only the third time New Zealand’s ever participated, so it’s very exciting for us,” he said.

The Canadian Press

11 a.m. PT: Getting around Vancouver on match day

A number of match day road closures are in effect around BC Place stadium today.

In addition, the stretch of Granville Street between Davie and Georgia streets is closed to traffic for the duration of the tournament.

The first match in Vancouver saw transit ridership surge to a level not seen since the 2010 Olympics, and TransLink is reminding anyone heading to the game or to a fan zone or watch party about service changes meant to make it easier and quicker to get around.

Lisa Steacy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca