Arab teams at 2026 World Cup: Egypt makes history as Saudi Arabia, Tunisia falter

Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 for their first World Cup win in history

Egypt earned the first World Cup win in their history by beating New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday, putting them on track to reach the knockout round for the first time.
Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Zico and Trezeguet were Egypt’s scorers after Finn Surman had given New Zealand the lead after 15 minutes of the Group G match in Vancouver.
The victory puts Egypt top of Group G on four points and needing just a draw against Iran in Seattle on Friday to move into the last 32.
Salah’s goal came after he exchanged passes with Zico — named after the Brazilian legend — and then curled in a shot with his left foot in the 67th minute.
Salah then provided the assist for substitute Trezeguet — who himself is named after former France forward David Trezeguet — to make the game safe with a low header.
“In years to come we will remember that this was one of the achievements in history,” Salah said.
He praised the large Egyptian contingent in the crowd, saying: “It feels like we are playing in Egypt. It’s a great win and great vibe.”
Egypt had trailed the Kiwis, who opened the scoring through Surman’s towering header after 15 minutes.
But Zico equalized when he headed in a cross from Mohamed Hany.

Yamal off the mark at World Cup in Spain rout as Iran hold Belgium

Lamine Yamal made a goalscoring return for Spain as the European champions got their World Cup campaign back on track with a 4-0 drubbing of Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Yamal, 18, opened the scoring after just 10 minutes of the Group H game in Atlanta to put La Roja on course for a comfortable victory against an outclassed Saudi team.
Spain had been determined to bounce back after being held to a shock 0-0 draw by lowly Cape