Egypt's Pharaohs are gearing up to face Argentina in the World Cup 2026 Round of 16 tonight at 7 p.m. in Atlanta, with Mohamed Salah expected to lead the attack and Mohamed Lashin back after his suspension. The result will decide if Egypt can carve a historic win against the defending champions.

When and where is the match?

The clash kicks off at 7 p.m. local time on July 7, 2026, at Atlanta’s stadium in the United States, as part of the Round‑of‑16 schedule. Egyptian fans will watch the Pharaohs on American soil, with live coverage on domestic channels.

Who is the referee?

FIFA has appointed French official François Letchiser (born 1989) to oversee the game. Letchiser brings experience from three previous World Cups, having refereed matches involving Ecuador, Côte d’Ivoire, Saudi Arabia and the Green Côte. His presence adds a professional edge to what promises to be a tense encounter.

Injuries and current absences

Hamdi Fathy and Mohamed Abdelmonem are sidelined with injuries, while Ahmed Abou El Fotouh is also unavailable for medical reasons. On the bright side, Mohamed Lashin returns after serving a two‑match suspension for two warnings, giving coach Hossam Hassan more options in midfield.

Expected starting XI for Egypt

Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier is likely to start, backed by a back line of Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Karim Hafez, and Ramy Rabia. The midfield could feature Mohamed Lashin, Marwan Attia, and Imam Ashour, while the forward line may see Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, and Zico. This blend of experience and youth aims to exploit Salah’s pace against Argentina’s defense.

How did Egypt reach this stage?

Coach Hossam Hassan guided the Pharaohs to their first-ever Round of 16 after a dramatic penalty shoot‑out win (4‑2) over Australia, following a 1‑1 draw after extra time. The journey came despite a rough run: the last five results read 0 wins‑3 draws‑2 losses, with the most recent Belgium 1‑1 Egypt on 2026‑06‑15. The team’s resilience keeps the dream of a quarter‑final alive among supporters.

What lies ahead for the Pharaohs?

A victory would set up a quarter‑final clash against either England or Portugal, the winners of their own Round‑of‑16 tie. A loss would still mark a milestone, remembered as one of the most thrilling moments in the national team’s World Cup saga.