Australia and Egypt face off in the round of 32 of the World Cup 2026 in a highly anticipated clash. The match kicks off on Friday, 3 July at 7 PM (BST) at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
Both teams enter the knockout stage after navigating their respective groups. Egypt secured their spot as runners-up in Group G, while Australia also successfully advanced to the last 32. This match promises a tense battle, with both sides eager to secure a place in the next round.
Keep reading for our predictions and betting tips for Australia vs. Egypt, along with the expected lineups for today’s encounter.
Match Overview - Australia vs. Egypt
- Australia enters the World Cup knockout stage after a mixed group stage performance. This round of 32 fixture offers a chance to gain crucial momentum.
- Egypt comes into this match unbeaten, having finished as group runners-up with one win and two draws. The Pharaohs display confidence and resilience.
- This marks the second encounter between these nations; the first one, in 2010, was won by Egypt (3-0). Both teams will fight for a spot in the last 16.
Head-to-Head Record
- This fixture marks the second match between Australia and Egypt ever; the first one was a friendly game.
- Australia’s three World Cup matches have consistently featured a low average of 1.33 total goals per game.
- Egypt, meanwhile, remains undefeated in the tournament, with their three games averaging 1.67 total goals.
- Australia’s two goals in the competition have been scored by Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe.
- Egypt’s key player, Mohamed Salah, has been instrumental, directly involved in 60% of his team’s goals with one goal and two assists.
Australia's Form and Performance
Australia advanced to the World Cup’s last 32 with a mixed group stage record of one win, one draw, and one loss. This inconsistent form suggests both capabilities and weaknesses that could be challenged in the knockout phase.
Their World Cup campaign started strongly with a 2-0 home victory against Turkey. However, they faced offensive struggles in subsequent away matches, failing to score in a 2-0 defeat to the USA and a 0-0 draw with Paraguay.
Australia will have to face Egypt without Italiano and Leckie. Still, midfielders Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda, each with one goal, are key players whose contributions will be vital for the Australia vs Egypt encounter.
Egypt's Form and Performance
Egypt progressed to the knockout phase unbeaten, finishing second in Group G. They secured a 3-1 victory against New Zealand and drew with both Belgium and Iran, demonstrating their resilience.
The Pharaohs’ attack is diverse, with goals from various players. Mohamed Salah, a key creative force, has one goal and two assists, complemented by four other goal-scorers.
Egypt seems to be decimated by Lasheen’s absence due to discipline, and the potential absence of Abdelmonem, Fathy, and Fatouh. Regardless, their consistent form and available personnel suggest they will pose a tough challenge in the Australia vs Egypt clash and aim to control the game.
Australia vs. Egypt Prediction: Pharaohs to continue their run
Egypt enters this knockout match in strong form, having remained unbeaten throughout the group stage. Their resilience makes the "Egypt -0.25 Asian Handicap" an interesting market, reflecting their consistency against varied opposition.
Australia, on the other hand, has shown inconsistency, particularly in attack where they failed to score in two of their three group games. With the high stakes of a knockout fixture, a cautious start is likely, making a "Draw at Half Time" a plausible outcome.
Considering Egypt’s solid run and Australia’s fluctuating performances, the Pharaohs appear better positioned to advance. Therefore, our main prediction is for an Egypt win in what promises to be a closely contested match.
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| Asian Handicap | Egypt -0.25 Asian Handicap | |
| Money Line | Draw at Half Time | |
The odds mentioned were collected during the writing of this prediction and may change. Always check with the bookmaker for the latest information.
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| Asian Handicap | Egypt -0.25 Asian Handicap | |
| Money Line | Draw at Half Time | |
Where to Watch Australia vs. Egypt
Here’s where you can watch Australia vs. Egypt:
- TV: BBC One (Gbr), BBC Sport (Gbr), ITV 1 (Gbr), ITV X (Gbr), STV (Gbr), UTV (Gbr)
- Streaming: BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), STV Player (Gbr), BBC iPlayer (Gbr), BBC Sport app (Gbr)
Australia vs. Egypt Predicted Lineups
As this crucial World Cup 2026 knockout match approaches, the strategic decisions behind the starting XIs become paramount. The predicted Australia lineup will aim to establish a solid foundation and control the flow of the game from the outset. On the other side, the expected Egypt lineup will do its best to cover up for potential injuries. Both sides will be looking for the right balance to secure their advancement in the competition and outperform their opponents on the day.
Australia
Beach; Herrington, Souttar, Circati; Behich, Metcalfe, Volpato, Bos, Okon-Engstler, O’Neill; Irankunda.
Manager: Tony Popovic.
Egypt
Shobeir; Hafez, Ibrahim, Hany, Rabia; Zizo, Attia, Ashour, Salah, Ziko; Marmoush.
Manager: Hossam Hassan.
Match Details
Here are the match details:
- Match: Australia vs. Egypt
- Competition: World Cup 2026
- Date: 03/07/2026
- Kick-off: 7 PM (BST)
- Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX, United States
- Broadcast: STV Player (Gbr), BBC One (Gbr), UTV (Gbr), BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), STV (Gbr), BBC iPlayer (Gbr), BBC Sport app (Gbr), BBC Sport (Gbr), ITV 1 (Gbr), ITV X (Gbr)
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