Australia vs Egypt Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 32
Both of these teams would view reaching the Round of 16 as a major success as Australia and Egypt face off in the Round of 32 at FIFA World Cup 2026 in Dallas.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Australia preview: Awkward Aussies
Australia have been much-improved since Tony Popovic was appointed mid-way through AFC qualification for FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Socceroos have, for a second successive FIFA World Cup, made it through to the knockout stages.
The Australians began their campaign with a surprise 2-0 defeat of a star-studded Turkiye side in Vancouver before a loss by the same scoreline against co-hosts USA. Australia have since edged their way through into the Round of 32 as Group D runners-up after sharing a mutually beneficial goalless draw with Paraguay.
Egypt preview: Famous results for the Pharaohs
Egypt’s all-time top scorer Hossam Hassan, just a goal clear of current captain Mohamed Salah, has led Egypt into the knockout stages of a FIFA World Cup for the first time, with the North Africans having won their first ever FIFA World Cup match in the group stages.
The Egyptians took the lead in their opener against Belgium before Mohamed Hany’s own goal made it all square. They then came from behind against New Zealand to earn that famous first win, coming out on top by three goals to one, before a 1-1 draw with IR Iran in their final game. They missed out on top spot in Group G to Belgium on goal difference.
Australia team news: Unpredictable Popovic
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Tony Popovic made a huge call before their opener against Turkiye with captain Mat Ryan dropped in favour of the eventual star of that game, Patrick Beach. Jackson Irvine was also left out before returning to the side against Paraguay.
The goal scorers from that game against the Turks, Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, also found themselves then dropped for the game with the USA before being reinstated into the side and so predicting a Popovic eleven is a tough job.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Beach; Circati, Souttar, Behich; Herrington, O’Neill, Irvine, Bos; Metcalfe; Irankunda, Toure
Unavailable:
Questionable: Italiano (Injured), Leckie (Injured)
Egypt team news: Marmoush debate
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Mohamed Salah has got himself a goal at the FIFA World Cup but his fellow star in attack, Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, has struggled and is at risk of losing his place for this Round of 32 clash.
Former Aston Villa winger Trezeguet came off the bench to score against New Zealand and then started up front against IR Iran and so that may be the case here. Mohamed Abdelmonem, meanwhile, was forced off through injury against the Iranians after deputising for unavailable fellow defenders Hossam Abdelmaguid and Hamdi Fathy.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Shobeir; Hany, Rabia, Ibrahim, Fatouh; Lasheen, Saber; Ashour, Salah, Ziko; Trezeguet
Unavailable:
Questionable: Abdelmonem (Injured), Abdelmaguid (Concussion), Fathy (Injured), Fotouh (Injured), Salah (Fitness)
Australia’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Patrick Beach ($3.5m) – Midfielder
Jordan Bos ($4.0m) – Defender
Nestory Irankunda ($5.1m) – Forward
Matchday 4 captain pick: Nestory Irankunda
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Ajdin Hrustic
Free kicks: Nestory Irankunda, Ajdin Hrustic
Corners: Ajdin Hrustic
Egypt’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Mohamed Salah ($10.0m) – Midfielder
Mostafa Zico ($4.2m) – Midfielder
Trezeguet ($5.6m) – Forward
Matchday 4 captain pick: Mohamed Salah
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Mohamed Salah
Free kicks: Mohamed Salah
Corners: Mohamed Salah
Key stats
- Coming soon
Australia vs Egypt prediction
As is always the case with Tony Popovic, be it at club level or in qualifying with Australia, the Socceroos will be expected to follow a defensive and conservative game plan.
Egypt appear well set up to match that style of football with the Egyptians' best opportunities to attack tending to require a bit of space in the final third for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, should the latter start.
This is expected to be quite a dull affair for the neutral and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a long game in prospect with a low-scoring encounter to be expected.
Australia vs Egypt betting tip: Under 2.5 goals
