37 days to the World Cup: Can Mohamed Salah lead Egypt to its first victory?

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is on! Each day ahead of the tournament’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will highlight an insight or moment that showcases just how grand the world’s biggest sporting spectacle has become — even beyond the expanded field of this year’s global event.

Egypt became the first Arab and African team to qualify for the World Cup when it took part in the 1934 tournament in Italy. It would be 56 years before the Pharoahs would return and then another 28 before making a third appearance.

After missing out four years ago, Egypt qualified for the 2026 World Cup and is looking to do something it's yet to achieve in their three previous trips to the global tournament: win.

Egypt's time at the 1934 World Cup was short. The format changed to a straight knockout event, which saw the Pharoahs ousted in their first match by Hungary. Italia '90 was the usual group-stage format, and despite drawing Netherlands in its opening match, Egypt failed to get a win against Ireland and England and finished bottom of Group F. Egypt exited the 2018 World Cup in similar fashion, losing all three matches and finishing last in Group A.

Now grouped with Belgium, Iran and New Zealand for 2026, Egypt is hoping to avoid another early exit and earn its first World Cup win in the process.