Iran’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup were dealt a significant setback in their group-stage match against Egypt on June 27 in Seattle. A late goal by Iranian defender Shoja Khalilzadeh, which initially appeared to secure a 2-1 victory, was disallowed after a video assistant referee (VAR) review ruled it offside. The decision came in stoppage time, dashing Iran’s immediate chances of progressing in the tournament.
The match, described by both teams as a reluctant encounter, saw Egypt take an early lead in the fifth minute through Mahmoud Saber. Saber capitalized on a defensive lapse and scored after a build-up that involved former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah. Just minutes later, Iran responded when Ramin Rezaeian equalized with a close-range finish. Iran also missed a penalty early on, with goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saving an effort from Mehdi Taremi, who later had a header hit the crossbar late in the game.
Following the disallowed goal, Iran’s players expressed frustration over what was reportedly their third goal ruled out by video review during the tournament. Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei acknowledged the role of technology but lamented the bad fortune his team faced. Meanwhile, midfielder Rouzbeh Cheshmi noted the team’s pride in their performance despite the outcome and expressed cautious optimism about their chances of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage.
Egypt secured second place in Group G with the draw and will face Australia in the round of 32. They had already qualified for the knockout stage prior to the match due to earlier results, including Belgium’s dominant 5-1 win over New Zealand. Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan expressed relief after the offside call overturned Iran’s potential winning goal, noting confidence in his team’s position.
The match was also marked by off-field difficulties faced by the Iranian team. Due to U.S. Department of Homeland Security travel restrictions related to geopolitical tensions, Iran operated under constrained conditions, with limited freedom of movement and reduced access to recovery and logistical support. The team’s base camp was relocated from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, weeks before the tournament, and many staff members were unable to travel with the squad. Cheshmi highlighted the impact of these factors on the team’s preparation and recovery.
As Group G concluded, Belgium topped the group, Egypt advanced in second place, and Iran awaits confirmation of their fate in the tournament based on other group results. The decisive stage will determine whether Iran progresses further or concludes their World Cup campaign after the group phase.