The Socceroos will face an Egypt team led by Mohamed Salah in a last 32 match at 4am AEST on Saturday 4 July after both sides finished as runners-up in their 2026 World Cup group.
Egypt Secures Second Place in Group G
Egypt secured a 1-1 draw against Iran to claim second place in Group G, setting up a clash with Australia. The match will take place in Dallas on Friday 3 July local time (4am AEST on Saturday 4 July).
Australia and Egypt will meet for the first time at a World Cup and for just the third time in their history. Their most recent clash was in November 2010 when the Socceroos lost a friendly 3-0 in Cairo.
Little Separates the Teams
Little appears to separate the two teams, with Egypt ranked No 26 and only two spots ahead of the Socceroos. Egypt were unbeaten in their group, with a win and two draws.
Egypt have been left sweating on the fitness of their talisman Mo Salah. The captain was taken off in the 57th minute against Iran with the scores level and the group’s outcome still in the balance. Salah was pictured on the bench with an ice pack on his left hamstring afterwards. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan confirmed the attacker requested to be substituted and will need to be assessed.
Dramatic Finish to Group G
The former Liverpool maestro has one goal and two assists in this World Cup, two weeks after his 34th birthday. Mahmoud Saber opened the scoring for Egypt in the fifth minute. The match featured a missed penalty from Iran, then an equaliser soon after. The intense contest came alive in the dying stages, with Iran striker Mehdi Taremi hitting the bar in the 89th minute and a goal from Shoja Khalilzadeh ruled out by VAR in stoppage time. Saeid Ezatolahi also hit the crossbar with a header.
An Iran victory would have secured them second place and a first appearance in the World Cup knockout rounds, setting up a showdown with Australia. Iran are still within touching distance of reaching the last 32 as a third-placed qualifier after three draws.
Belgium Takes Top Spot
For a moment, the Socceroos were due to face Belgium, as Egypt appeared to have done enough to secure top spot. But Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 to finish top on goal difference of plus-four, while Egypt finished second on five points with a goal difference of plus-two.
The Socceroos will move from their base in Oakland on Wednesday, three days ahead of the match against Egypt.
