Mohamed Salah and Egypt's Grand Mission to End Their Winless Curse at the World Cup

2026 World Cup presents the Egypt National Team with an opportunity to end one of the most unwanted records in the tournament's history. After four separate appearances at the finals stage, The Pharaohs have still never claimed a single win at Football's biggest global stage International Football.

Hopes of breaking this streak remain wide open even after Egypt failed to take maximum points from their opening Group G fixture. Facing the heavily favoured Belgium side, Hossam Hassan's squad claimed a valuable point after forcing a 1-1 draw.

While this result keeps Egypt's knockout stage qualification chances alive, it also means the side continues to carry their long unbroken winless record at the World Cup.

As reported by Tribuna, Egypt have competed in four World Cup editions: 1934, 1990, 2018 and 2026. Across eight total matches played to date, the nation has only recorded three draws alongside five defeats.

This statistic makes Egypt one of the countries with the longest ever winless run in the history of the tournament.

Pressure is building rapidly, as Egypt stands just one match away from equalling Honduras' unwanted record. The Central American nation went winless across nine matches spanning three World Cup campaigns in 1982, 2010 and 2014.

Even so, the door is still open for Egypt to rewrite their history. Two remaining Group G fixtures give Mohamed Salah and his teammates a clear chance to end this run of poor results.

Egypt's next match will see them face New Zealand on 22 June. On paper, this fixture represents The Pharaohs' best chance to secure their first ever World Cup victory.

However New Zealand is not an opponent to be underestimated. The Oceania side fields multiple players with top flight European experience, led by clinical striker Chris Wood.

Following that match, a far stiffer challenge awaits when Egypt face Iran on 27 June. Nicknamed Team Melli, Iran are widely regarded as one of Asia's strongest football powers, with an experienced squad including forward Mehdi Taremi.

Amid mounting pressure, all focus has fallen on Mohamed Salah. Egypt's captain and national football icon is expected to be the difference maker, and lead his side to a Historic Victory.

For Salah personally, the 2026 World Cup may also be his final chance to cement a lasting legacy with the national team. Ending this decades-long winless streak while guiding Egypt through to the knockout rounds would be an achievement remembered for generations.