With their first point on the board in Group G, the All Whites want to go one step further and earn an historic FIFA World Cup win.

New Zealand face Egypt tomorrow in Vancouver, Canada at 1pm NZT, where a victory would put them in a strong position to qualify for the knock out stages, a feat that's never been achieved by the All Whites.

At the FIFA World Cup 2026, the top two teams in each group qualify for the Round of 32, while the eight best nations who finish third also advance.

After the 2-2 draw with Iran, the All Whites sit top of Group G heading into tomorrow’s match thanks to FIFA’s tiebreaker system. This is because while Belgium and Egypt also drew their match 1-1, the All Whites have scored more goals and did not receive a yellow card in their opening game. Iran’s Ehsan Hajsafi was booked in the 88^th minute against New Zealand.

All Whites captain Chris Wood says his teammates now must back up their positive opening performance when they take on Egypt.

“I think this game is going to be completely different to the first game.

“Everybody's looked at the teams and we've looked at them against Belgium, they've looked at us against Iran and I'm sure both teams have come up with different game plans of how they want to affect the game. 

“For us as players, the boys, it's about bringing the same level of energy, intensity, technical ability on the pitch and then raising it again because it was a draw.

“We want to get the win and that's what we're going to need to do.”

All Whites coach Darren Bazeley says a first ever victory at a FIFA World Cup would be a monumental achievement for football in Aotearoa.

“I think everybody wants to win their first game, but I suppose the key is not losing your first game because it gets you in the tournament, it gets you a point.

“That's where we are now, similar to Egypt, we're both on one point, both looking for their first win It would be massive for New Zealand to get that win.

“It would be history, that's something this group of players have been talking about trying to do for three or four years now.”

Wood says a maiden victory could be a catalyst for an even more historic feat for the All Whites in qualifying for the knock out stages for the first time ever.

“For us as players, I think it would be huge to be the first team to be able to get the win of the World Cup for a New Zealand-based team.

“We're hugely motivated by that, and it would put us in a great position in this World Cup four points, there are enough guarantees you'd go through.

“I think both teams will be eager to win this game, knowing how big a fruit there is at the end of it with getting that win.”

New Zealand are up against tough opponents in Egypt who are a record seven time African champions and spearheaded by English Premier League stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

Darren Bazeley says his players are well aware of the attacking threat their rivals represent.

“I don't think we have to change what we do.

“We want to play the way we play, we'll do what we do in possession, and we have a plan defensively to try and help deal with those threats every game is slightly different, and opposition that we face.

“We've got some good players with good pace, it's going to be a challenge and I think our players are looking forward to testing themselves against these type of players.

“It's not something for us to be scared about, if we're going to win our World Cup, we have to play against top teams and top players and perform well.”

Tomorrow’s clash won’t be the first time the two nations have faced. During a 2024 FIFA Series, Egypt edged New Zealand 1-0 while a 2012 encounter in the Olympics saw a 1-1 draw with both Salah and Wood getting on the scoresheet.

Wood says his experience in professional football and having played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup has made a difference in this campaign.

“I think it's more of a helping asset of being able to give experience to the younger ones, the ones that haven't been through this.

“I think that's the most I can give them and then focus on my own ability on the pitch and trying to bring the best out of myself for the team.

“The experience to give to the younger lads and the people that haven't been in these type of occasions before.”

Tomorrow's match between the All Whites and Egypt kicks off at 1pm NZT and is available live and free on TVNZ+ and TVNZ 1.

Article added: Sunday 21 June 2026