VAR decision impacts Iran’s World Cup progression hopes as Egypt advances

By Liam Tremblay — 27 June 2026 — 3 min read

Dramatic draw in Seattle

A dramatic 1-1 draw between Egypt and Iran in Seattle concluded with Egypt securing second place in Group G, advancing to the World Cup round of 32. The match, held on Friday, saw an early goal from Mahmoud Saber for Egypt in the fifth minute. Iran responded quickly, with Ramin Rezaeian equalizing in the 15th minute after Mehdi Taremi missed a penalty.

The game was finely balanced, with events in the simultaneous Group G match between Belgium and New Zealand influencing the standings. A goal from Kevin De Bruyne for Belgium initially pushed Egypt to second, but a goal by New Zealand briefly restored Egypt’s top spot. However, Romelu Lukaku then extended Belgium’s lead, leading to a 5-1 victory for Rudi Garcia’s side.

VAR disallows Iran’s late winner

The match reached a dramatic climax in stoppage time when Iran’s Shoja Khalilzadeh appeared to score a winning goal, which would have guaranteed their qualification. However, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled the goal offside. The decision was based on Khalilzadeh’s position when his teammate Mohammad Ghorbani took a shot that rebounded off Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. At that moment, only one Egypt player was between Khalilzadeh and the goal line, making him offside according to the rules.

This VAR intervention was described as cruel, especially as Taremi had a previous goal against Belgium disallowed for a similarly tight offside call. Despite the setback, Iran created two more opportunities, including a shot by Saeid Ezatolahi that hit the crossbar. Egypt managed to hold on for the draw, securing their place in the knockout stage.

Implications for Iran and Egypt’s next steps

The 1-1 draw means Iran finished third in Group G. Their progression to the round of 32 now depends on results from Saturday’s final round of group games, as they hope to be one of the best eight third-placed teams. According to one projection model, Iran has a 92 per cent chance of advancing. However, specific results in other groups, such as a draw between Algeria and Austria, a DR Congo victory over Uzbekistan, and Croatia securing at least a point against Ghana, could lead to Iran’s elimination.

Egypt, as group runners-up, will face Australia in the round of 32. This match is scheduled for July 3 at AT&T Stadium near Dallas. The team’s manager, Hossam Hassan, substituted Mohamed Salah in the 57th minute, with Salah seen applying heavy strapping to his left leg. Egypt’s progression offers a chance for further advancement in the tournament.

The match in Seattle also took place amidst discussions surrounding its designation as a World Cup Pride match. Authorities in both Egypt and Iran had called for the cancellation of the match, with some expressing views against activities supporting gay relationships. Despite these calls, the game proceeded, and organizers in Seattle ensured that Pride flags were permitted in the stands, citing local law.

For some, like an Iranian-born chemical engineer named Sam, the visibility offered by the Pride match was a significant outcome, sparking discussions about gay rights. Others, such as Moustafa Wahba, a banker from Cairo, expressed that their focus was solely on the football and winning the game, while acknowledging the need to respect the local culture as guests. The match concluded with Egypt advancing to face Australia on July 3.

Source: nytimes.com