Egypt head into their second match of the 2026 World Cup against New Zealand knowing that their opening draw with Belgium will lose much of its value if they fail to make the most of this opportunity and secure a victory.

The match will take place in the early hours of Monday, June 22, at 4:00 AM Cairo time, at BC Place in Vancouver, as part of Group G, which includes Egypt, Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran.

Although New Zealand may look less powerful than Belgium on paper, the match is far from easy. The opposition relies on organization and physical commitment, and they could cause problems for Egypt if they manage to close down spaces and delay the opening goal.

Stability in the Structure.. and an Attacking Decision

The most likely direction in Hossam Hassan’s plans is to keep most of the lineup that faced Belgium, especially after Egypt delivered a balanced performance in the opening round. Early indications suggest Hossam Hassan will retain most of the side that started against Belgium, with Mostafa Shobeir expected to keep his place in goal while a few attacking positions remain open for discussion.

In midfield, Marwan Attia remains an important figure in controlling the tempo, while Emam Ashour enters the match with high confidence after scoring against Belgium. Trezeguet, Mohanad Lasheen, and Mostafa Ziko are also among the options available to the technical staff, depending on the shape Hossam Hassan chooses to start with.

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Salah and Marmoush Face the Decisive Test

In attack, Egypt will mainly rely on Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, as the two players most capable of making the difference against New Zealand’s defense. Salah’s experience and movement, combined with Marmoush’s pace and ability to attack spaces, could be key to breaking down the expected defensive block.

The main selection debate appears to be in attack, where the coaching staff must decide whether to keep Mostafa Ziko in the starting lineup or introduce Trezeguet from the first minute to add greater attacking threat.

Egypt know that the New Zealand match could be their gateway to the next round, but it could also turn into a trap if focus is lost. That is why the Pharaohs need a strong start, sharp finishing, and full control of the match before heading into a complicated final group-stage clash against Iran.

Egypt (expected):

GK: Mostafa Shobeir

DEF: Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Hamdy Fathy, Ahmed Fattouh

MID: Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Mohanad Lasheen

FWD: Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush

Open spot: Trezeguet or Mostafa Ziko