Unsurprisingly for a central defender, Alessandro Circati regards Australia’s clean sheets during the World Cup 2026 group stage as a “big satisfaction” before facing Egypt in the last 16 in Dallas.
The Socceroos started with a 2-0 win over Turkiye and drew with Paraguay – who have since ousted Germany – either side of a 2-0 defeat to a USA team playing on home soil.
“We had a very tough group,” said Parma’s Circato, via Australia’s website. “We showed how solid we are defensively as a team – the boys on the field and boys off the field, because the ones who don’t play really help us in training as well.
“It’s very positive and gives us self-confidence. I’m sure Egypt are looking at that and thinking it won’t be easy and they won’t get many chances, and they’ve really got to take the chances they do get. We’ve got to limit that for them.”
The most successful team in Africa, Egypt won a World Cup match for the first time at the ninth attempt by beating New Zealand 3-1 in between 1-1 draws with Belgium and Iran.
“It’s something unbelievable,” reflected goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. “History is written that we advanced for the first time ever. We’re super proud of this.
“We’re looking forward to the game. Australia are on the biggest stage of all, so of course they’re a big team.”
The winners of the tie will face Argentina or Cape Verde, who meet in Miami on Friday (23:00 BST), in the last 16 in Atlanta on Tuesday (17:00).
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World Cup 2026: Australia v Egypt team news
Talismanic Egypt forward Mohamed Salah is a doubt after being substituted after 57 minutes against Iran with a hamstring injury.
Wideman Ahmed Fatouh is unlikely to play because of a hamstring tear but centre-back Mohamed Abdelmonem could recover in time from severe ankle bruising.
Full-back Jacob Italiano (groin) and midfielder Mathew Leckie (leg) will miss the rest of Australia’s campaign through injury.
Australia v Egypt: World Cup 2026 predicted line-ups
Australia starting XI: Patrick Beach, Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, Lucas Herrington, Jordan Bos, Aiden O’Neill, Jackson Irvine, Aziz Behich, Cristian Volpato, Nestory Irankunda, Connor Metcalfe
Egypt starting XI: Mostafa Shobeir, Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Hamza Abdelkarim, Emam Ashour, Mohanad Lasheen, Zizo, Mahmoud Saber, Trezeguet, Mostafa Zico
Where to watch Australia v Egypt: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Friday is at 19:00 BST (14:00 ET / 11:00 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on BBC One.
Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.
World Cup 2026: Australia v Egypt stats
- Australia’s stalemate with Paraguay was their first 0-0 draw at the tournament since an encounter with Chile in 1974
- They were kept goalless in back-to-back matches within a single World Cup tournament for the first time in 52 years
- A return of two goals during the 2026 group stage equalled Australia’s fewest during a World Cup group stage since not scoring any in 1974
- Against Paraguay, Lucas Herrington (18 years, 294 days of age) became the youngest player to start for Australia in World Cup history and the second-youngest to feature for the Socceroos overall (Garang Kuol was 18y, 68d)
- Jackson Irvine is the third player to reach 10 games for the Australia at the tournament, after Mathew Leckie (11) and Mathew Ryan (10)
- This is the first time Egypt have reached the knockout rounds after playing in a group stage
- Mahmoud Saber’s goal after four minutes and 26 seconds against Iran was Egypt’s fastest in their World Cup history
- Mostafa Shobeir is the second Egypt goalkeeper to save a penalty in a World Cup match, after Essam El Hadary, who did so against Saudi Arabia in 2018
- Mohamed Salah is the first Egypt player to make five World Cup starts, although the 57 minutes the forward played against Iran represented his fewest by 19 minutes in a World Cup match
- Trezeguet has two direct goal involvements (one goal, one assist) at these finals. In the three World Cup matches the winger played in 2018, he did not produce a single one
World Cup 2026: Australia v Egypt prediction
Australia 1-0 Egypt
Australia shared a game of few chances with Paraguay and, if Tony Popovic’s team can keep this contest tight again, they may have enough to edge past injury-hit opponents. Egypt are yet to keep a clean sheet at these finals but have not lost by more than a goal in their last 15 games, including friendlies.
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