Egypt coach Hossam Hassan say im dey see progress as di Pharaohs prepare to face New Zealand for dia second Group G match of di 2026 FIFA World Cup. Di match go happen on June 21, 2026, for BC Place Vancouver. Hassan tok say di team development don take time, but e dey show result.
“Our work start long before di World Cup,” Hassan tok. “We go through qualifiers, AFCON, friendly matches against Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Brazil. Clear development dey happen.” Di former striker say im want Egypt to play football wey go match di country rich tradition.
Egypt open dia campaign with 1-1 draw against Belgium. Dem lead for good part of di match before Belgium equalize late. Now dem face New Zealand wey also draw 2-2 with Iran for dia opener. Elijah Just score two goals for New Zealand, e become first player from dat country to score brace for World Cup.
Hassan reveal say di squad arrive early for better preparation. “Arriving here early give us opportunity to prepare better and with greater comfort. We prepare players mentally and physically.” Im also say dem no dey take any team for granted, but dem get confidence for dia ability.
Group G dey balanced, with all teams get one point. Egypt and New Zealand both dey search for dia first World Cup victory. Egypt don play eight World Cup matches without win, second-most for any team. New Zealand don play seven without win, third-most.
Mohamed Salah dey expected to play, though im fit no last full match. Hamza Abdelkarim from Barça Atlètic make positive impact for im World Cup debut against Belgium. Onar Marmoush get five shots for dat match, and im go dey key for attack.
New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley likely keep same side wey play Iran. Chris Wood no score, but im get two assists for Elijah Just goals. Di All Whites get 51% possession against Iran, first time dem hold majority of possession for World Cup match.
Egypt predicted lineup: Shobeir; Hany, Ibrahim, Fathi, Fotouh; Lasheen, Attia; Salah, Ashour, Ziko; Marmoush. New Zealand predicted lineup: Crocombe; Payne, Surman, Boxall, Cacace; Bell, Stamenić; McCowatt, Singh, Just; Wood.
