Belgium topped the group with a crucial win against New Zealand (by five goals to one), with Egypt finishing as group runners-up based on goal difference. Both teams advanced to the round of 32.
Iran finished in third place, and were eliminated as they were out-performed by other teams in third place within their groups, failing to finish as one of the eight best third-place teams.[4] New Zealand finished fourth after a decisive defeat against Belgium, and were also eliminated.
The teams had previously faced each other four times, most recently in 2022, a 2–1 win for Egypt in a friendly.[8]
Egypt took an early lead, but a costly own goal by Mohamed Hany allowed Belgium to equalize and secure a 1–1 draw, despite having previously struggled to break through the formidable Egyptian defense.
Elijah Just earned his team's lead by making two consecutive goals, but throughout the second half, Mohammad Mohebi leveled the Iranian team in the 64th minute as New Zealand struggled to break through the tie. Ultimately, the match ended with a 2–2 draw.
This marked New Zealand having their fourth draw since their last appearance in 2010, marred by their inconsistencies throughout the match. Ramin Rezaeian was chosen as Man of the Match for the Iranian team.
Both teams struggled to make and all goals throughout the match and ultimately, both teams ended with a clean sheet altogether, with Alireza Beiranvand being chosen as Man of the Match for his consistenies in the match, with Nathan Ngoy being sent off with a straight red card for his reckless tackle.
The two teams had faced each other three times, most recently in the 2024 FIFA Series, which Egypt won by 1–0.[14]
This was the first World Cup match won by Egypt in its history since their debut in 1934.[15]
New Zealand suffered its first World Cup defeat in 44 years, having exited its last tournament appearance in 2010 during the group stage as the only undefeated team.
The two teams had faced each other twice, most recently in the 2000 LG Cup; Egypt won 8–7 on penalties following a 1–1 draw.[17]
A "Pride Match" was planned in advance to take place in Seattle, organized by the local committee to tie into the local celebration and without endorsement by FIFA. After the draw and release of the schedule in December 2025, it was determined that this match would feature Egypt and Iran, two countries where LGBT rights are severely restricted (see LGBT rights in Egypt and Iran) and homosexuality is punishable by law, including the death penalty in Iran.[18][19] Seattle's Pride Match Advisory Committee spokesperson said "The Pride Match has been scheduled to celebrate and elevate Pride events in Seattle and across the country and it was planned well in advance."[20]Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said both countries had "objections" and that the branding was an "irrational move that supports a certain group." Iran was planning to appeal the decision.[21] The Egyptian Football Association also sent a formal letter to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström rejecting "in absolute terms" LGBTQ connections to the game.[22] A day before the match, Iran requested FIFA to ban pride flags inside the stadium, as well as preventing any "ceremonies or promotional activities" in support of the community, which was rejected.[23] Demonstrators against the Iranian government and the criminalization of homosexuality in both competing countries were present around the match, many sporting Pride rainbow.[24]
Following a goal for each team early on, Shojae Khalilzadeh scored three minutes into stoppage time to seemingly secure Iran's first-ever World Cup knockout berth. However, VAR disallowed the strike for offside, forcing Iran to settle for a 1–1 draw. Following a 3–3 draw between Algeria and Austria in Group J and Senegal's 5–0 victory over Iraq in Group I, Iran was eliminated in the group stage. They dropped to 9th place below Senegal in the third-place rankings, marking their seventh overall failure to advance.[25]
With an estimated 107.4 million viewers, this match became the most-watched broadcast in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) history and the most-viewed match of the FIFA World Cup.[26]
Pre-match ceremony between New Zealand and Belgium
The two teams had never met before.
Belgium scored five goals which were more than enough for the team to ultimately secure their spot at the top of the group, with Leandro Trossard being the Man of the Match. For New Zealand's Elijah Just, this was his third and last goal, though the Belgian team were far too formidable, with New Zealand having fallen to the bottom of the group.
New Zealand failed to secure a single win in its third World Cup appearance, finishing with a lackluster overall record of four draws and five losses across its three tournament campaigns.
The team conduct ("fair play") score would have been used as a tiebreaker if the head-to-head and overall records of teams were tied. It would also be used as a tiebreaker for the third-place ranking between groups if the overall records of teams were tied. The score was calculated based on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials in all group matches as follows:[4]
yellow card: −1 point;
indirect red card (second yellow card): −3 points;
direct red card: −4 points;
yellow card and direct red card: −5 points;
Only one of the above deductions could be applied to a player or team official in a single match.
↑"Iran: Islamic Penal Code". Retrieved January 7, 2021. Article 234: 'The hadd punishment for the receptive/passive party, in any case (whether or not he meets the conditions for ihsan) shall be the death penalty.' Article 236: 'If the active party is a non-Muslim and the passive party is a Muslim, the hadd punishment for the active party shall be the death penalty'
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Belgium 
Egypt 
Iran 
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