World Cup 2026: Egypt star Mohamed Salah reflects on historic first-ever win

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah admitted he was overwhelmed with emotion after leading the Pharaohs to their historic first-ever World Cup victory following a memorable 3-1 triumph over New Zealand.

Salah was unplayable as the Pharaohs cruised to victory over their opponent to boost their chances of progressing to the Round 32 of the tournament.

The experienced forward scored and assisted a goal as the sides triumphed over New Zealand on Monday morning.

However, the former Liverpool star has expressed pride after inspiring the side to their first ever World Cup win,

“I don’t know how to describe my feelings,” Salah said after the historic win. “We felt like we were playing in our own country.”

Salah’s emotional reaction perfectly reflected the significance of the moment for Egypt and its supporters worldwide. The victory marked a major milestone in Egyptian football history and sparked celebrations among fans who filled the stadium with chants, flags and endless support throughout the match.

From the opening whistle, the atmosphere heavily favoured Egypt as supporters transformed the arena into what felt like a home ground for the Pharaohs. The noise, passion and energy from the stands inspired the players, who responded with a dominant performance against New Zealand.

Egypt displayed confidence, attacking quality and determination as they secured a deserved 3-1 victory to strengthen their World Cup campaign. Salah, as expected, played a key leadership role both on and off the pitch, guiding his teammates through one of the nation’s most important football moments.

The Egyptian captain has often spoken about the special relationship between the national team and its supporters, but this occasion appeared to leave an even deeper emotional impact on him.

For millions of Egyptians, the result represented far more than just a football victory. It was a moment of national pride and unity, with fans across the world celebrating together as the Pharaohs finally achieved a historic breakthrough on the global stage.

Salah’s comments after the match quickly resonated with supporters on social media, with many praising both the team’s fighting spirit and the extraordinary backing from Egyptian fans inside the stadium.

The 34-year-old forward has carried the hopes of Egyptian football for years and continues to inspire a generation of players and supporters with his performances and leadership. After the final whistle, Salah shared emotional celebrations with teammates and fans, fully embracing the magnitude of the achievement.

Egypt’s historic victory has now injected fresh belief and excitement into the squad as they look ahead to the remaining matches of the tournament. With the confidence gained from this memorable night and the passionate support of their fans, the Pharaohs will hope this is only the beginning of a special World Cup journey.

For Salah, however, the night will forever be remembered for the incredible atmosphere created by Egyptian supporters — an atmosphere so powerful that it made the team feel as though they were playing on home soil.