Egypt’s national team coaching staff have carried out a final inspection of Lumen Field in Seattle ahead of their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Belgium, a key Group G fixture scheduled for Monday evening.
The inspection was led by the team’s technical leadership, including head coach Hossam Hassan and team manager Ibrahim Hassan, as preparations intensified ahead of what is expected to be one of the standout matches of the opening round.
The match will kick off at 10:00 PM Cairo and Mecca time, and 12:00 PM local time in Seattle, marking the beginning of Egypt’s World Cup campaign.
Final preparations at Lumen Field
The visit to the stadium forms part of Egypt’s final build-up as they aim to begin their tournament on a positive note. The coaching staff assessed the pitch conditions and surroundings to ensure the squad is fully prepared for the demands of the fixture.
Egypt enter the tournament with renewed optimism and a strong belief in their ability to compete, relying heavily on key players such as Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.
Within the camp, there is reported confidence that the team can deliver a performance that reflects the strength and reputation of Egyptian football on the global stage.
Coach Hossam Hassan is said to have expressed satisfaction with his squad’s readiness, highlighting the positive atmosphere surrounding the team as they approach their opening match.
Belgium arrive as strong contenders
On the opposite side, Belgium are preparing for the fixture with high expectations, as they look to establish themselves early as one of the leading teams in Group G.
Their squad is built around several established international stars, with Kevin De Bruyne expected to play a central role in their ambitions during the tournament.
Belgium’s depth and experience make them one of the favourites to top the group, increasing the significance of their opening encounter with Egypt.
High stakes in Group G opener
The match carries considerable importance for both nations, as an opening victory would provide a strong advantage in the race for qualification to the knockout stages.
Group G also includes Iran and New Zealand, meaning every point in the opening fixture could prove crucial in what is expected to be a closely contested group.
Both Egypt and Belgium are aware that a positive result in their first match would set the tone for their campaign and ease pressure in subsequent fixtures.
Egypt expected line-up
Egypt are expected to field a balanced side combining experience and attacking talent.
Goalkeeper: Mostafa Shobeir
Defence: Ahmed Fattouh, Hamdi Fathi, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Hany
Midfield: Marwan Attia, Mohannad Lasheen, Emam Ashour
Attack: Zico, Omar Marmoush, Mohamed Salah
The line-up reflects Egypt’s intention to maintain defensive structure while relying on attacking pace and creativity in forward areas.
Kick-off details confirmed
The match between Egypt and Belgium will take place on Monday at 10:00 PM Cairo and Mecca time as part of the opening round of the 2026 World Cup group stage.
Focus turns to decisive opener
With final preparations complete at Lumen Field, Egypt now turn their attention fully to one of their most important fixtures of the tournament. Against a strong Belgian side, the North African team will look to combine discipline and attacking quality as they aim to start their World Cup journey with a statement result.
