Korea on the Brink: Iran Draws with Egypt to Take Advantage in Round of 32 Race over Korea [2026 World Cup]

0-0 Draw with Egypt, Three Consecutive Draws in Group Stage
Belgium Crushes New Zealand to Top Group G

Iran has secured third place in Group G at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, putting itself in a more favorable position than Korea in the race to advance to the Round of 32. Korea's chances of progressing to the Round of 32 have diminished further.

On June 27 (Korea time), Iran drew 1-1 with Egypt in the third Group G match of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup held at Seattle Stadium in the United States.

Egypt, having previously drawn 2-2 against New Zealand and 0-0 against Belgium, finished with three draws and secured three points. Korea, with one win and two losses, also has three points, but Egypt has the advantage in goal difference (Korea: -1). As a result, Egypt is ahead in the battle for advancement to the Round of 32.

In this tournament, among the twelve third-placed teams from the group stage, the eight teams with the best records advance to the Round of 32. As of today, with the group stage completed for nine groups, only two third-placed teams—Scotland and Uruguay—have a worse record than Korea. Korea must now hope that at least two third-placed teams from the remaining three groups finish with a worse record than Korea in order to advance.

Iran conceded the opening goal to Egypt just five minutes into the first half. Egypt's ace Mohamed Salah attempted a left-footed shot inside the penalty area, which deflected off an Iranian defender and was punched away by Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. However, the ball did not go far, and Mahmoud Saber of Egypt followed up with a non-stop shot to find the back of the net.

Ramin Rezaeian of Iran is celebrating after scoring the equalizer in the 14th minute of the first half during the Group G third match against Egypt at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup held at Seattle Stadium in the United States on the 27th (Korea time). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Iran immediately earned a chance to equalize four minutes later when Mohamed Abdelmonem drew a foul inside the box. However, Mehdi Taremi, who stepped up as the kicker, saw his shot saved spectacularly by Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, allowing Egypt to maintain their 1-0 lead.

Iran eventually equalized five minutes after that. Milad Mohammadi unleashed a sharp right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area, and the Egyptian goalkeeper made a diving save with his right hand. Ramin Rezaeian then rushed in and precisely slotted the ball into the far corner from a tight angle on the right.

The rest of the first half was dominated by Iran, while Egypt controlled the second half, but no additional goals were scored. Iran, focused on defense in the second half, saw Shoja Khalilzadeh find the net from a free kick in stoppage time, but after a VAR review, the goal was ruled offside. Had the goal stood, Iran would have secured its first-ever spot in the World Cup knockout stage. However, with the goal disallowed, Iran must now wait for the results of the third-placed teams in the remaining three groups.

In Group G, Belgium secured first place in the group and advanced to the Round of 32. Belgium had been in a precarious third place after two draws, but surged to the top of the group by defeating New Zealand decisively in the final match.

Belgium recorded a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada. Leandro Trossard scored twice, while Romelu Lukaku contributed one goal and one assist. Kevin De Bruyne and Alexis Saelemaekers each added a goal as well.

Belgium and Egypt both finished with one win and two draws, but Belgium took first place in the group thanks to a superior goal difference. New Zealand was eliminated with one draw and two losses.

If Korea advances to the Round of 32, it will face Belgium. The match is scheduled for July 2 at 5:00 a.m. at Seattle Stadium in the United States.

Egypt will play against Australia in the Round of 32 at Dallas Stadium in the United States on July 4.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.