World Cup 2026: Australia exits on penalties to Egypt; Germany, France and Netherlands advance on July 3
Australia drew 1-1 with Egypt in 90 minutes before losing 4-2 on penalties, becoming the co-host nation's first elimination; Germany, France, and the Netherlands also completed their R32 on July 3
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Summary
Australia was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 3 after drawing 1-1 with Egypt at full time and losing 4-2 on penalties, becoming the first co-host team to exit the tournament. Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shennawy saved two Australian spot kicks, sending Egypt to the round of 16 for the first time since 1934. Also advancing on July 3: Germany (beat Colombia 2-0), France (beat Senegal 1-0, Kylian Mbappe goal), and the Netherlands (beat Saudi Arabia 3-1). The round of 32 wraps on July 5; round of 16 begins July 7.
The split
Australian media focused on the tactical question of whether head coach Tony Popovic's defensive approach, which delivered the draw but could not produce a winner, was the right call for a co-host with home support. Egyptian media celebrated a historic qualification, with El Shennawy's penalty saves treated as a national moment. Saudi Arabian outlets covered the Netherlands loss in the context of the kingdom's ongoing 2034 World Cup hosting preparations and a broader question of whether Saudi football development is delivering on investment. In France, Mbappe's goal settled a simmering debate about his fitness following a late-season knee injury.
By the numbers
- 1-1, Australia vs Egypt after 90 minutes
- 4-2, Egypt's penalty shootout victory
- 2, Australian penalties saved by El Shennawy
- 1934, last time Egypt reached the World Cup round of 16
- July 7, start of the round of 16
Why it matters
A co-host nation's early exit is commercially awkward for a tournament that sold its co-host status partly on domestic fanbase appetite. Australia's tournament organisers had built hospitality and broadcast infrastructure around a deep run; the quarter-final match at Sydney's Stadium Australia is now a neutral fixture. Egypt's advance is significant for African football, which sent six teams to the round of 32 and now has two (Egypt, Morocco) in the round of 16.
What to watch
- Egypt vs Morocco in the round of 16, a potential all-Africa tie
- Australia's political and commercial post-mortem on its tournament co-hosting investment
- Whether Germany or France meets the United States in the quarter-finals
- Saudi Arabia's 2034 hosting bid committee response to an early exit for its national team