WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Interstat) — Egypt faces New Zealand on Sunday in a World Cup group-stage match, with both teams seeking momentum after opening with draws.

The Pharaohs enter the game projected to win 2-1, according to the Interstat game simulator. Egypt is coming off a 1-1 draw against Belgium on Monday, June 15, a result that followed a mixed run of form in 2025-2026. Under head coach Hossam Hassan, Egypt has shown defensive resilience but occasional lapses. In their last five matches overall, they have two wins, two draws and one loss. The draw with Belgium was a strong result against a top-tier opponent, but the squad also suffered a 1-0 loss to Nigeria in January and a 1-0 defeat at Senegal earlier that month. Egypt’s offense has been inconsistent: a 3-2 win over Cote d’Ivoire on Jan. 10 was followed by two matches without a goal until the Belgium draw.

New Zealand, meanwhile, also drew its last match, 2-2 at Iran on Monday, June 15. The All Whites have played only two matches in the 2026 season other than that draw, both against China PR on Mar. 15. New Zealand routed China 9-0 in the first match and 3-0 in the second. Those lopsided results, however, came against a lower-ranked opponent and may not fully reflect the team’s competitiveness at World Cup level. New Zealand’s defense will face a stiffer test against Egypt’s attack, which features pace on the wings and a physical presence up front.

Sunday’s match is crucial for both teams with an eye on the knockout stage. Egypt’s next game is against Iran on Friday, June 26, while New Zealand faces Belgium the same day. A win Sunday would put either team in strong position to advance from the group. Egypt enters as the favorite based on recent form and historical pedigree, but New Zealand will rely on home support and the momentum from its dominant performances against China. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, June 21.