Mohamed Salah says he was proud to have the opportunity to “make the people happy in Egypt” after his team beat New Zealand 3-1 to secure the country’s first ever World Cup win, Yankee Scores reports.
The Second-Half Comeback
Egypt were a goal behind at the interval but turned the game around in the second half, with Salah scoring one goal and turning provider for another.
🚨 Mohamed Salah on Egypt’s first ever win at a FIFA World Cup:
“What happened today is history for us, as Egyptians.”pic.twitter.com/kM6gSMxga6
— World Cup 2026 (@WorldCupMedia_) June 22, 2026
“Well, it’s a great feeling for all of us,” he said after the game. “It’s a great achievement.
“I said before, we just do our best in the tournament to make the people happy in Egypt, and I think right now they are happy and proud. So, the only I can promise them is that we [will] sweat and we’ll run and we’ll give it our best.”
4-point Egypt are topping Group G courtesy of the comprehensive win against New Zealand. A draw against Iran on Friday would be enough for the Pharaohs seal a first place. A defeat to Iran may not stop from reaching the round of 32; that would be their first-ever round of 32 qualification at the World Cup.
Salah’s Philosophical Take
“We were lucky to win the game today,” Salah said. “We played, I think, a better game.
“We play against tough teams, tough group, so… Now we are top of the group and we just need to celebrate today and tomorrow with the win, and just focus on the last game.”
Salah also discussed his own pride at being part of some of the biggest moments in the nation’s World Cup history.
“What happened today is history, for us as Egyptians,” he said. “It seems to other teams [like] ‘It’s ok, it’s fine.’ You see a lot of teams win their games.
“But for us as Egyptians it doesn’t happen often. I think [this is the] first time in history. And I’m lucky enough to call it this way — hopefully it’s not selfish — but we qualified twice [in the] last 30, 40 years. I was lucky to play the two times and score in two tournaments.”
