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VANCOUVER — Egypt secured its first-ever World Cup victory in Vancouver on Sunday, defeating New Zealand 3-1 in what fan Ahmed Khalil called a “dream come true.”
“It’s really something to experience history in your own life,” he said in an interview outside the stadium, where fans gathered to dance, chant and celebrate.
Asked to describe his feeling, he said: “Nothing will beat this.”
“This is something I will tell my kids about. It’s something I will be excited about all my life,” he said.
In the sold-out crowd of 52,497 at BC Place, Egypt’s supporters appeared to outnumber Kiwi fans, but that didn’t faze Ross Matthews.
Matthews travelled from Wellington, New Zealand, for the match and was thrilled to be able to support his home nation at his first-ever in-person World Cup game.
It’s only the third time the country has participated in the tournament.
It had first appeared to be an underdog story for the Kiwi team, with fans roaring as they took a 1-0 lead after Finn Surman headed in a goal from a corner kick in the 15th minute of play.
But Egyptian fans, who were notably quieter when they were down, came to life when they tied up the score in the 58th minute and scored another two goals in the second half.
It was the third of seven World Cup matches that will be played at Vancouver’s stadium.
Egypt fans had been visible in the city since Friday, with many showing appreciation for their team in online videos showing large crowds gathered at a Vancouver hotel to meet the players, including superstar Mohamed Salah.
When his name was announced as being on the starting lineup about 20 minutes before kickoff, the stadium erupted.
A huge roar again swept through BC Place as Salah put Egypt ahead 2-1 in the 67th minute, and when he was substituted off the field in the 84th minute.
Egypt native Nayef Mahgoub said it was on his bucket list to see Salah play in person. He travelled from Fort McMurray, Alta., to attend the match.
“He’s my favourite player,” Mahgoub said. “He’s one of the reasons why we are here.”
The 61-year-old, who immigrated to Canada about 30 years ago, said it was his first World Cup match. He said he was elated to experience it alongside his 33-year-old son.
“It was an opportunity that I would never miss,” he said.
Egypt fan Saif Farag, 21, agreed. He said it “meant everything” to see Salah play live and witness him score a goal.
“That’s my favourite player right there,” he said. “My favourite team is Liverpool anyway, so I’ve loved him for years now and to see him do it for my country — I loved that.”
He called the atmosphere inside BC Place “electric.”
“Every time there was a goal, everyone exploded. It was absolutely insane to be there,” Farag said.
That feeling was shared by fans on both sides.
New Zealand native Anton de Bruyn said he was disappointed his team was unable to hold on to their lead, but he still enjoyed the game.
“I’m so glad I came,” he said. “The energy is not something I’ve experienced anywhere else and it’s just fun to be here.”
Hundreds of New Zealand fans met in Vancouver’s Gastown neighbourhood about two hours before kickoff to march to the stadium. Fans, many draped in the national flag, set off white smoke canisters and flaunted flags and banners that read “Flying Kiwis,” while chanting “we will win.”
Kaelin Nguyen was among them. He said he wasn’t disconcerted by his team standing so low in FIFA’s World rankings, calling it a badge of honour to be considered an underdog.
“We normally are in most sports, except for rugby. It adds a bit more excitement,” he said.
Graham Carter was among a small group of New Zealand fans who gathered at The Shipyards in North Vancouver after attending the fan march downtown.
He said he immigrated to Canada about 20 years ago and had never seen so many Kiwis in one place in Vancouver. He said at halftime that it was exciting to be up 1-0 against Egypt.
“Our players maybe don’t have the experience of other teams, but we have a lot of passion and, on the day, you never know what happens,” he said.
Ultimately, the momentum shifted and Egypt scored three back-to-back goals in the second half, securing the win.
Sunday’s match came after Team Canada pulled off a historic 6-0 win against Qatar on Thursday.
De Bruyn, who has lived in Canada for eight years, said he will probably start to throw his support behind Canada, in hopes they advance past the group stage.
“That’s OK, because I’m Canadian as well, so it’s all good,” the New Zealand native joked.
Egyptian-Canadian Amr Nassrat said he’s hopeful that both of his teams will advance to the round of 32.
“It’s the first time for Egypt to win a game in the World Cup, just like Canada,” Nassrat, 76, said on the concourse of BC Place after the match.
“I hope Egypt will not meet Canada because I’ll be divided. I won’t know who to support.”
The next match at BC Place will be Wednesday as Canada faces Switzerland.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2026.
Brieanna Charlebois and Nono Shen, The Canadian Press
