Australia vs Egypt Preview & Tips - Egypt to end Australia's World Cup dreams

Egypt took a point from Iran in their last outing as their 1-1 draw made it three without defeat at the competition in 2026. 

Egypt beat Australia 3-0 in their only meeting back in 2010. 

Australia began their World Cup campaign with an outstanding 2-0 win over Türkiye that saw them put one foot in the knockout stages after a single match. 

The optimism following this win was something they would have wanted to build on, but a 2-0 loss to the USA saw the Aussies fail to ever really get near to the co-hosts. They were then held by Paraguay in a 0-0 draw in their final match. While a draw benefitted both sides, a lack of killer instinct from Australia in their final group game is likely something that will come back to haunt them in the knockout stages.

When Australia have been good at the back, they have kept clean sheets and frustrated their opponents. However, the USA proved that Australia are not perfect at the back, and I predict that a lack of goals from their forwards will cost them. 

Egypt kicked their World Cup adventure off with a battling 1-1 draw against Belgium in a match that set them up well for the tournament. 

They then easily beat New Zealand in a 3-1 win before drawing 1-1 with Iran. The five points they notched was enough to secure them a favourable draw against Australia in the Round of 32. While Egypt have not been perfect at the back, they have found a way to hit the back of the net in each of their three outings so far. 

While knockout games put a lot of pressure on both teams, Egypt will be confident in the knowledge that Australia have been poor going forward. Without a goal across their last 180 minutes of football, I predict that Australia will fail to breach an Egypt side that will likely find the back of the net.