Players from Iran and Egypt battle for the ball during their Group G final match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. [Reuters]
Players from Iran and Egypt battle for the ball during their Group G final match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. [Reuters]

Egypt and Iran each picked up one point in their Group G finale at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, dealing a blow to South Korea's chances of advancing to the round of 32.

Egypt drew 1-1 with Iran on Saturday (Korea time) at Lumen Field in Seattle.

The result leaves Egypt second in Group G with one win and two draws, securing a spot in the round of 32. Iran finished third with three draws, and its tournament fate will be decided by results from Groups J, K and L on Sunday.

Both sides found the net early. Egypt struck first when Mahmoud Saber coolly finished through a scramble in front of the Iranian goal around the fifth minute. Iran responded quickly — captain Taremi missed a penalty around the 10th minute, but Rezaeian leveled at 14 minutes.

In the second half, Egypt poured forward after introducing Manchester City's Omar Marmoush and others but could not find a winner. Iran sat deep and kept out further goals. The Iranians thought they had scored late in stoppage time, only to be denied by an offside call.

South Korea needed Egypt to beat Iran to improve its own chances of reaching the round of 32. With the draw, one of the five scenarios that could have seen Hong Myung-bo's side advance has been eliminated.


yeongdai@heraldcorp.com