Belgium is taking on Egypt in Seattle in a star-studded and critical Group G clash.
Earlier, World Cup debutant Cabo Verde produced an incredible 90-minute performance to hold favourites Spain goalless, taking a point in Atlanta.
Later, Saudi Arabia takes on Uruguay and Iran meets New Zealand.
Check out the full World Cup schedule here in Australian timesABC Sport podcast: A chaotic World Cup opener for a chaotic World Cup
Follow all the action in our live blog.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:30am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:30am
Live updates: Belgium vs EgyptTue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:54am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:54amTue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:54am
HT: Egypt leads Belgium 1-0
Seattle Stadium is a very striking stadium, and the lone goal so far was a brilliant strike from Emam Ashour (Getty Images/MB Media)
There was a late chance for Omar Marmoush, who had the ball near the left byline and smashed it for the near post but Courtois kept it out.
A couple of corners, and the ball came in just over Mohanad Lasheen’s head. He couldn’t get to it, and play goes on and the whistle goes for half-time.
That could have been a devastating blow for the Red Devils if they had shipped a second there. But they still have work to do to get any sort of result out of this one.
It’s a cracking goal from Emam Ashour that separates the sides.
We’ll see what happens after the break.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:48am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:48am
45+1 Doku blazes over!
Big chance for Belgium!
They get it in the mixer, and after it bounces around it falls to Doku, who has a ping on his right foot but it blazes well over and wide.
That could and should have been 1-1 there.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:46am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:46am
42′ Doku is firing up at the tackling for Egypt
Jeremy Doku definitely has the speed and skill to cause real problems, but Egypt have found the answer so far: to monster the Belgian star and surround him with defenders.
He got crunched again just there and was pretty angry with officials when he didn’t get a free kick.
Plenty of frustration there right before half-time.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:41am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:41am
37′ Chance missed for Belgium
Belgium are capable of dynamic attacks, and that time they were pushing it around at speed.
The passing was strong, they went wide to Doku on the right, he chipped into the centre of the box and Leandro Trossard had an opening, but the Arsenal man scuffed the shot, and it was blocked easily.
Belgium are threatening, but they still trail 1-0.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:38am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:38am
This is the moment Egypt took the lead
Thibaut Courtois could do nothing about Emam Ashour’s goal for Egypt (Getty Images)Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:36am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:36am
33′ Fatouh goes close for Egypt
Just when Belgium looks to be in control of possession, Mo Salah sets up Ahmed Fatouh on the right, and his low drive across goal from the edge of the box is tipped round the post by Thibaut Courtois.
Nothing comes of the corner, but Egypt are dangerous on the counter here.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:35am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:35am
32′ Jeremy Doku is being shut down for now
Jeremy Doku has been in prime form for Belgium and Manchester City.
But the Egyptian defence has been up to it so far, double or triple-teaming him and keeping him quiet.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:32am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:32am
29′ Still 1-0 as Belgium search for an equaliser
Sometimes teams lose focus after the hydration break.
It hasn’t really been like that so far, but there haven’t been any clear-cut chances.
The Belgian stars have been a little quiet, but they are trying to build.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:24am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:24am
22′ It’s time for a break
I think a lot of people are in shock at that — mainly that it wasn’t Salah or Omar Marmoush who brought the finish.
That is such a great moment for Egypt. They are loving this.
Salah gets knocked over, and the referee checks the clock and thinks it’s time for a hydration break.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:22am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:22am
19′ Egypt takes the lead!
Egypt leads out of nowhere!
They were pushing it around, they went down the right, and then a great cross from Salah to the middle, where Emam Ashour takes one touch and then crashes it past Thibaut Courtois in the Belgian goal!
What a strike! And it has to be to beat the Belgian number one.
Ashour is standing, taking in the applause, when he gets a playful shove to the ground from a teammate, and there’s a pile on.
Game on in Seattle!
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:17am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:17am
14′ Yellow card for both sides
As we said, there is plenty of physicality out there, anmd it has resulted in a couple of yellow cards.
First, Attia of Egypt clattered into Nathan Ngoy and received a card. Then Timothy Castagne did the same to an Egyptian player.
Now both men will have to be particularly careful for the next 75 minutes or so.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:15am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:15am
11′ De Ketelaere brought down but no decision
Belgium broke free down the left there, and it was one on two.
Charles de Ketelaere was first to the ball, there was contact and he went down but there was no foul. The ball ran out for a corner, but VAR overturned it for a goal kick.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:12am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:12am
9′ Belgium pressing but no corner
The Red Devils are getting into their stride now, and they are having more possession.
They push down the right with Leandro Trossard, who takes it ot the byline. The ball comes out over the line, and Trossard is furious that he doesn’t get a corner.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:08am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:08am
6′ Shot goes wide from De Bruyne
That was better from Belgium!
They held possession in their front half and switched it around, moving it slowly as the Egyptian fans booed.
After a series of chess moves, finally it fell to Kevin De Bruyne , whose fierce low drive went a metre or two wide of the left-hand post.
A reminder to Egypt, if one was needed, that KDB may well be at the veteran stage, but they can’t leave him alone.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:05am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:05am
3′ Physical start, with Egypt on top
This is a bit of a surprise. Egypt has been on top early here, making moves forward and holding possession.
There have been some juicy challenges already, that will be something to watch. If the referee has to get cards out later that could have an effect on play.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:04am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:04am
1′ Egypt make an early break down the right
It’s a little bit of a cagey start in Seattle, but Egypt showed some ambition there with a nice break down the right from Zico (not the Brazilian great) but it was cut out by the defence.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:01am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 5:01am
We are underway in Seattle
Egyptian star Mo Salah turns 34 today (Getty Images/Anadolu)
Here we go.
How will the Red Devils perform, as the old stars get, well, old in football terms?
And will Mo Salah have a really happy 34th birthday?
Stick with us to find out.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 4:55am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 4:55am
Iran and New Zealand complete Group G
The other two sides in Group G are Iran and New Zealand.
A reminder that they will play in Los Angeles in our last game today.
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 4:53am
Tue 16 Jun 2026 at 4:53am
Belgium will have plenty of support in SeattleShow more postsABC Sport Daily podcast