Egypt will be aiming to extend their historic World Cup run when they face defending champions Argentina in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on Tuesday.
For the Pharaohs, this tournament has already rewritten their football history. Hossam Hassan’s side claimed Egypt’s first World Cup victory since their debut in 1934, when they beat New Zealand 3-1 in the group stage, before overcoming Australia on penalties in their first appearance in a World Cup knockout match.
Now comes the greatest test of all, Argentina, the title holders, led by Lionel Messi. The living legend has been in outstanding form at this tournament, scoring seven goals and moving to the top of the World Cup’s all-time scoring list alongside France’s Kylian Mbappe.
Argentina have won every match so far, but their round-of-32 tie against Cape Verde offered Egypt a reason to believe.
The world champions needed extra time to edge through with a 3-2 win and, for long spells, looked vulnerable. Cape Verde pushed them deep into extra time and were denied the chance to force penalties only by a crucial Emiliano Martinez save near the end.
Egypt also arrive unbeaten – with one win and three draws – and with growing confidence. They held Belgium to a draw in their opening match, where they were arguably the better side, and their recent performances against elite opposition before the World Cup have strengthened belief inside and outside the camp. The Pharaohs drew 0-0 with Spain in Barcelona and suffered only a narrow 2-1 defeat against Brazil in Ohio.
Those results, together with the dramatic win against Australia, have changed the mood around the team. Egyptian supporters, who had become distant from the national side in recent years, have started to reconnect with the team during this tournament. At times, that relationship had seemed badly damaged, with low attendances during the qualifying matches and a football culture dominated by the rivalry between Al Ahly and Zamalek.
Hossam Hassan has helped change that, to some extent. His team may not be the most polished in the tournament, but they have shown organisation, spirit and belief. More importantly, they have given Egyptian fans a feeling they had been missing for years.
Against Argentina, Egypt will need all of that and more. They will have to defend with discipline, limit Messi’s influence between the lines and make the most of the moments they get on the counter-attack.
Egypt have already shown they can make life uncomfortable for stronger opponents. For Hassan and his players, this is another chance for glory, and one they should embrace, as the pressure will not be on them, but on on their opponents who will go into the game as clear favourites.
