Egypt vs Iran: World Cup 2026 Predictions, Betting Tips & Odds (27.06.2026)

Egypt are around 13/10 to win this one, with the draw priced up at approximately 11/5 and Iran out at 5/2. With Mohamed Salah finally finding his World Cup scoring touch and Iran yet to find the net at this tournament from open play in their last outing, that price on the Pharaohs looks fair rather than short.

Egypt Recent Form

Egypt’s World Cup got off to a frustrating start, an Emam Ashour goal cancelled out by a Mohamed Hany own goal in a 1-1 draw with Belgium, but the response in Vancouver delivered the country’s first ever World Cup win. Trailing to an early Finn Surman header, Hossam Hassan’s side fought back through Mostafa Zico before Mohamed Salah, at 34 the oldest goalscorer in Egyptian World Cup history, struck the winner and later teed up substitute Trezeguet for a 3-1 victory. That result puts Egypt top of Group G on four points, and a draw against Iran would be enough to confirm a top-two finish. Salah’s all-round contribution, scoring once and assisting another, has eased any lingering concern about his sharpness following his summer departure from Liverpool, while Omar Marmoush continues to offer a genuine second outlet alongside him.

Egypt Key Players

Iran Recent Form

Iran have made a habit of frustrating bigger names so far at this World Cup. A 2-2 draw with New Zealand, in which they twice came from behind, was followed by a battling goalless draw against Belgium in Los Angeles, a result made all the more notable once Nathan Ngoy was sent off for the Belgians in the second half. Amir Ghalenoei’s side could not find a winner even with the extra man advantage, but the clean sheet against a European side with 23 attempts on goal underlines a defensive discipline built around the experienced Ehsan Hajsafi and goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. Iran arrive in Seattle on two points, level with Belgium but ahead on goals scored, and a win against Egypt would settle any doubt over their own place in the last 32. Captain Mehdi Taremi remains the focal point of everything Iran try to create going forward.

Iran Key Players

Head-to-Head Record

This will be the first ever meeting between Egypt and Iran in any competition, so there is no head-to-head history to draw on. Both nations arrive unbeaten so far at this World Cup, with Egypt’s only defeat-free run built on a win and a draw, and Iran’s on two draws.

Last 5 Matches

Egypt’s sequence runs from the 3-1 win over New Zealand and 1-1 draw with Belgium back through a defeat to Brazil and a win over Russia either side of a goalless draw with Spain in their warm-up schedule. Iran’s reads from the 0-0 with Belgium and 2-2 with New Zealand back through friendly wins over Mali, Gambia and Costa Rica.

Tactical Breakdown

Hossam Hassan’s Egypt set up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 built around quick transitions, with Salah and Marmoush given licence to interchange and attack the space in behind. Iran, by contrast, are an extremely well-organised defensive unit under Ghalenoei, conceding only twice in two matches and frustrating a Belgium side that had 23 shots without scoring. Ghalenoei has consistently fielded an experienced, physically robust back line, and against Egypt’s pace in behind, the positioning of Hajsafi and his centre-backs will be tested far more directly than it was against a toothless Belgium attack. With both sides needing only a positive result rather than a victory at all costs, an open, end-to-end contest looks less likely than a tighter, more cagey affair, particularly given how comfortably Iran have absorbed pressure so far at this tournament.

Predicted Line-ups

Egypt Predicted XI

Mohamed El-Shenawy; Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Ahmed Fatouh; Hamdi Fathy, Emam Ashour; Mostafa Zico, Mohamed Salah, Ahmed Sayed Zizo; Omar Marmoush.

Iran Predicted XI

Alireza Beiranvand; Ramin Rezaeian, Shojae Khalilzadeh, Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Ehsan Hajsafi; Saeid Ezatolahi, Amir Mohammad Razzaghinia; Mohammad Mohebi, Saman Ghoddos, Mehdi Ghaedi; Mehdi Taremi.

Where to Watch: UK TV & Streaming

Egypt vs Iran is being shown live on BBC Two in the United Kingdom, with streaming available through BBC iPlayer. Kick-off is at 04:00 BST on the Saturday morning, with New Zealand’s simultaneous meeting with Belgium shown alongside it on BBC One.

Odds Comparison & Betting Analysis

The implied probability behind Egypt’s price is around 43 per cent, which feels about right for a side that only needs to avoid defeat against an Iran team that has not been beaten so far at this tournament. With both sides able to settle for a point in many scenarios, the double chance market covering an Egypt win or draw makes more sense than backing the Pharaohs outright in the straight match-result market.