Egypt reached the round-of-16 in the 2026 World Cup but lost 3-2 to Argentina on July 7 after holding a 2-0 lead early in the game [1, 2, 3]. Argentina scored three goals in a 13-minute span late in the match to complete the comeback [4, 2, 3, 5].
Egypt’s goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir made a key save by stopping a penalty kick from Lionel Messi during the game, helping keep Egypt in front for much of the match [4, 3]. Despite this, several controversial refereeing calls favored Argentina. These included a goal by Egypt that was disallowed by VAR and multiple fouls on Argentine players that went unnoticed by officials [2, 3].
In response to alleged racist abuse from fans during the match, Egypt’s coach Hossam Hassan crossed his arms in an "X" gesture to bring attention to the issue. However, the referee did not properly address the claims [2].
Fans in Gaza watched the match on large screens set up amid the rubble of buildings despite ongoing conflict in the area [1, 5]. Egypt’s national team gave the country a rare moment of collective joy amidst widespread economic hardship and political challenges, with over 70% of the population relying on bread subsidies and an estimated 118 million citizens [4, 3].
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi praised the team’s performance, saying, "We are proud of you and your achievement, and the future is brighter for you" [2].
When the team returned home on July 8, they received a hero’s welcome with a parade. During the celebrations, coach Hassan waved a Palestinian flag, underscoring solidarity with the region [6].
