Egypt vs IR Iran Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Both of these teams head into the final round of fixtures in Group G in reasonable positions as Egypt and IR Iran push to squeeze into the knockout stages.
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
Egypt preview: Coming from behind
In their opening game at the FIFA World Cup, Egypt took an early lead against Belgium via Emam Ashour from distance in Seattle. Romelu Lukaku then forced a Mohamad Hany own goal to deny The Pharaohs their first ever FIFA World Cup win in the second half.
In their second game, though, Egypt did get their first FIFA World Cup win as Hossam Hassan's side came from 1-0 down at half-time against New Zealand to win by three goals to one in Vancouver, courtesy of strikes from Mostafa Ziko, Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet.
IR Iran preview: Solid Iranians
Amid all of the off-field issues that IR Iran are facing that are affecting their pre-match preparation and post-match recuperation, the Iranians will be content in their position as they head into the final game of Group G unbeaten and with a chance to even potentially win the group.
In their opening game of the tournament against New Zealand, IR Iran came from a goal down on two occasions to share an entertaining 2-2 draw in Los Angeles before then holding Belgium to a goalless draw. Mehdi Taremi had a goal disallowed in the first half and IR Iran were left frustrated in the second half after Nathan Ngoy was sent off with about half an hour to go.
Egypt team news: Couple of doubts
Egypt are dealing with a couple of doubts for this one as defender Hossam Abdelmaguid and defensive midfielder Ahmed Fathy are both potentially unavailable.
Trezeguet came off the bench and scored against New Zealand with the former Aston Villa winger pushing for a start, perhaps ahead of Omar Marmoush, with the Manchester City man struggling for form.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Shobeir; Hany, Ibrahim, Abdelmonem, Fotouh; Attia, Lasheen; Ziko, Ashour, Trezeguet; Salah
Unavailable:
Questionable: Abdelmaguid (Injured), Fathy (Injured)
IR Iran team news: Clean bill of health
Alireza Jahanbakhsh has been struggling with fitness issues in this tournament but the former Brighton & Hove Albion man did appear off the bench against Belgium, albeit to no great effect.
At the time of writing, there are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues, with defender Roozbeh Cheshmi now said to be fit, for the Iranians to deal with and so it wouldn't be too much of a surprise to see Amir Ghalenoei keep the same eleven here.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Beiranvand; Hardani, Khalilzadeh, Kanaanizadegan; Rezaeian, Ezatolahi, Mohebi, Hajsafi; Nemati, Ghoddos; Taremi
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Egypt’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Mohamed Hany ($3.9m) – Defender
Mohamed Salah ($10.0m) – Midfielder
Trezeguet ($5.6m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Mohamed Salah
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Mohamed Salah
Free kicks: Mohamed Salah
Corners: Mohamed Salah
IR Iran’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Alireza Beiranvand ($4.2m) – Goalkeeper
Ramin Rezaeian ($4.0m) – Defender
Mehdi Taremi ($6.1m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Mehdi Taremi
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Mehdi Taremi
Free kicks: Mehdi Taremi
Corners: Saman Ghoddos
Key stats
- The only previous encounter between Egypt and IR Iran was a friendly in Tehran in June 2000 where Egypt won a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.
- Egypt are aiming to qualify from a World Cup group for the first time.
- Adding to his two goals in 2018 with one against New Zealand, Mohamed Salah is now Egypt’s leading goalscorer at the FIFA World Cup with three goals.
- Egypt have never lost a match in which Trezeguet has scored (W17 D4).
- IR Iran are aiming to reach the knockout rounds for the first time having exited after the group stage in their six appearances prior to 2026.
- A win or a draw for IR Iran would see them unbeaten in three successive World Cup matches for the first time.
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Egypt vs IR Iran prediction
Egypt, naturally given their first win at the tournament came a few days ago, have never made the knockout stages of a FIFA World Cup and they will believe history will be made here - even if they get on the wrong side of the result.
All of the pressure is on IR Iran but, as was the case when up against the underperforming ten men of the Belgians, Amir Ghalenoei will likely again be conservative in his approach.
A low-scoring game may well suit the Egyptians with a point potentially enough to secure top spot, unless Belgium run riot against New Zealand, while IR Iran may well themselves have enough for the round of 32 with a draw. However, a low-scoring, fine-margins win will likely be the plan for Ghalenoei.
Egypt vs IR Iran betting tip: Under 2.5 goals
