World Cup 2026: Egypt and Canada target long-awaited first victory

Egypt and Canada will be among the nations seeking to make history when the tournament begins, with both countries still searching for their first-ever victory on football’s biggest stage.

As the competition gets underway, several teams arrive with ambitions that go beyond reaching the knockout rounds. For some, simply winning a World Cup match for the first time would represent a landmark achievement and a significant moment in their football history.

Egypt enter the tournament carrying one of the longest winless records among participating nations. The Pharaohs are preparing for their fourth World Cup appearance, having previously featured in 1934, 1990 and 2018.

Despite their rich football heritage, they have yet to record a victory, collecting seven matches without a win across their previous campaigns.

Canada face a similar challenge. The North American side appeared at the World Cup in 1986 and again in 2022 but remain without a victory after six matches.

Having made notable progress on the international stage in recent years, they will hope the 2026 edition, hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada, finally brings a breakthrough.

Several other returning nations are also hoping to end their wait for a first World Cup win. New Zealand have gone six matches without success following appearances in 1982 and 2010.

Haiti, Iraq, Panama and Qatar are among the countries that have also never celebrated a World Cup victory. DR Congo, who competed as Zaire in 1974, remain in the same position and will be looking to write a new chapter in their tournament history.

For many of these teams, the 2026 competition offers an opportunity to move beyond disappointing records and establish a new milestone.

While the challenge remains considerable, the prospect of a first victory provides extra motivation heading into the tournament.

The expanded World Cup will also feature several debutants eager to make an immediate impact. Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, Jordan and Curaçao will all begin their World Cup journeys with a clean slate.

Unlike nations carrying winless records from previous tournaments, these newcomers have the chance to secure their first World Cup victory from the very start, creating an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on the global stage.