SEATTLE (AP) — Egypt advanced past the group stage at the World Cup for the first time while Iran, which had a potential late winning goal called back due to an offside, will have to wait one day to find out its fate after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw.
At the conclusion of what was promoted as a “Pride Match” in Seattle, one which neither Iran nor Egypt wanted any part in, the Pharaohs finished in second place in Group G. Belgium, which played to a 1-1 draw against Egypt on June 15, beat New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver, British Columbia to win the group outright.
Click to Gallery
Iran's Shoja Khalilzadeh (4) reacts at the end of the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) jumps to save a shot at goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Iran's Shoja Khalilzadeh (center) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal, which was overturned as an offside, during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Iran's Shoja Khalilzadeh (4) celebrates after scoring a goal before it was overturned following a VAR review during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Egypt's Mahmoud Saber (21) celebrates after scoring before the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Iran's Mehdi Taremi (9) reacts at the end of the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Iran could still advance to the knockout round for the first time in the expanded 48-team pool at this year’s tournament. But, they no longer control their own destiny after Friday’s game.
Egypt took an early lead on a goal by Mahmoud Saber in the fifth minute. Former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah provided some strong play in the box before Saber fired a shot between the legs of Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Iran tied the match nine minutes later on a goal by Ramin Rezaeian, and nearly won the game in stoppage time. Shoja Khalilzadeh fired a shot past Egypt goalie Mostafa Shobeir in the 93rd minute, but it was overturned for offside after a video review.
Had the goal counted, Iran would have clinched a berth to the knockout round.
Eds: note this story corrects the score in the second paragraph to Belgium 5, New Zealand 1.
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Iran's Shoja Khalilzadeh (4) reacts at the end of the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) jumps to save a shot at goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Iran's Shoja Khalilzadeh (center) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal, which was overturned as an offside, during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Iran's Shoja Khalilzadeh (4) celebrates after scoring a goal before it was overturned following a VAR review during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Egypt's Mahmoud Saber (21) celebrates after scoring before the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Iran's Mehdi Taremi (9) reacts at the end of the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Cape Verde became the smallest country to reach the World Cup knockout stage, playing Saudi Arabia to a 0-0 draw to finish second in its group. Elsewhere on an eventful Day 16, Ousmane Dembélé scored three first-half goals and France cruised past Norway 4-1 to finish comfortably atop its group, with Les Bleus looking like the best team in the tournament. Senegal routed Iraq 5-0 and the blowout could help it move past the group stage. Spain won its group and eliminated Uruguay with a 1-0 victory.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
New Zealand's Tyler Bindon (4) clears the ball off the line during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Belgium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Belgium's Leandro Trossard (10) scores against New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe (1) as New Zealand's Liberato Cacace (13) and New Zealand's Tim Payne (2) defend during the first half of a World Cup Group G soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, June 26, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Belgium's Leandro Trossard (10) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the World Cup Group G soccer match between New Zealand and Belgium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Iran's Ramin Rezaeian (23) celebrates after scoring during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
An Egypt fan waits for the start of the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Egypt's Ramy Rabia (5) battles for the ball with Iran's Mehdi Taremi (9) during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Egypt's Mohamed Hany (3) and Iran's Milad Mohammadi (5) battle for the ball during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) collides with players during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Norway fans wait for the start of the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Norwegian fans perform a viking boat row during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Cape Verde head coach Bubista waves the flag as he celebrates with fans after their 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia after the World Cup Group H soccer match in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Fans react during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Uruguay's Rodrigo Bentancur (6) reacts following the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Spain's Marc Cucurella (24) challenges for the ball with Uruguay's Agustin Canobbio (14) during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Referee Ismail Elfath shows a red card to Uruguay's Agustin Canobbio during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Spain's Alex Baena (15) scores the opening goal for his team during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Spain's Alex Baena, left, is congratulated after scoring his side's opening goal by Rodri during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Saudi Arabia's Ziyad Aljohani (16) warms up during a half time break for the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Saudi Arabia's Nawaf Bu Washl (13) kicks the ball against Cape Verde's Dailon Livramento (19) during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha (1) celebrates after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Saudi Arabia's Abdulelah Alamri (4) and Cape Verde's Nuno da Costa (21) collide was they try to head the ball during the second half of the World Cup Group H soccer match in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Cape Verde's Pico Lopes, left, and Saudi Arabia's Mohamed Kanno (23) battle for the ball during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Cape Verde players celebrate their 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia after the World Cup Group H soccer match in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A Saudi Arabia fan shows his support prior to a World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Saudi Arabia's Salem Aldawsari (10) battles for the ball with Cape Verde's Pico Lopes (4) during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Saudi Arabia's Saud Abdulhamid (12) and Cape Verde's Joao Paulo (8) look to control the ball during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Senegal's Pape Gueye (26) celebrates with Sadio Mane after scoring the team's third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Senegal and Iraq in Toronto, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Olivia White)
Senegal's Moussa Niakhate, left, kicks the ball over Iraq's Ali al-Hamadi (9) during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Senegal and Iraq in Toronto, Friday, June 26, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Senegal's Ismail Jakobs, right, kicks the ball past Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan (12) during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Senegal and Iraq in Toronto, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
A fan of Uruguay poses prior to the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Spain's Pedri, top, and Uruguay's Sebastian Caceres vie for the ball during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Spain's Lamine Yamal (19) controls the ball against Uruguay's Mathias Olivera (16), Rodrigo Bentancur (6) and Manuel Ugarte (5) during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Uruguay's Agustin Canobbio, up, challenges for the ball with Spain's Marc Cucurella during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Spain's Aymeric Laporte (14) battles for the ball with Uruguay's Darwin Nunez (9) during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Spain's Marc Cucurella (24) battles for the ball with Uruguay's Agustin Canobbio (14) during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Uruguay and Spain in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Norway fans wait for the start of the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
France goalkeeper Mike Maignan (16) saves a penalty from Norway's Joergen Strand Larsen (11) during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Iraq's Rebin Sulaka (2) walks off the field after being issued a red card during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Senegal and Iraq in Toronto, Friday, June 26, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
France goalkeeper Mike Maignan (16) saves a penalty kick by Norway's Joergen Strand Larsen (11) during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Iraq's Ali Yousif, top, and Senegal's Idrissa Gueye (5) battle for the ball during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Senegal and Iraq in Toronto, Friday, June 26, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Referee Anthony Taylor, of the United States, right, issues a red car to Iraq's Rebin Ghareeb (2) during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Senegal and Iraq in Toronto, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Senegal's Moussa Niakhate, left, battles for the ball with Iraq's Ali Alhamadi (9) during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Senegal and Iraq in Toronto, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Senegal's Habib Diarra (21) celebrates scoring their first goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Senegal and Iraq in Toronto, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) CORRECTION: Corrects goal scorer to Senegal's Habib Diarra (21), not Abdoulaye Seck.
Iraq's Zidane Iqbal (14) controls the ball during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Senegal and Iraq in Toronto, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Olivia White)
Senegal's Pape Gueye (26) celebrates their third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Senegal and Iraq in Toronto, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
France's Desire Doue (20) celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
France's Ousmane Dembele, right, celebrates with Kylian Mbappe, center, and other teammates after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France's Ousmane Dembele (7) celebrates after scoringduring the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Norway's Erling Haaland sits on the bench during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland, left, greet each other before the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France's Kylian Mbappe (10) battles with Norway's Leo Oestigard (4) during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Norwegian fans perform a viking boat row during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Norway goalkeeper Egil Selvik (13) makes a save against France's Desire Doue (20) during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
France's Kylian Mbappe (10) battles with Norway's Leo Oestigard (4) during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
France fans watch the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France's Manu Kone, left, vies for the ball with Norway's Morten Thorsby during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France's Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France's Ousmane Dembele scores his side's second goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Norway goalkeeper Egil Selvik (13) is beaten by a shot from France's Ousmane Dembele (7) who scores his side's second goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France's Ousmane Dembele, right, scores the opening goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France's Ousmane Dembele celebrates with Kylian Mbappe, right, after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Norway and France in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
