Nestory Irankunda is leading Australia’s attack against Egypt in the World Cup 2026 round of 32. Tony Popovic kept the same starting XI he used against Paraguay, and Egypt answered with five changes.
The match kicked off at 1pm local, 2pm EDT, 7pm BST and 4am AEST at Dallas Stadium. The opening minutes were scrappy and nondescript, but Irankunda was already at the sharp end of Australia’s setup.
Popovic Keeps the Same XI
Australia’s selection keeps the structure intact. Jordan Bos remained at right wing-back, and Irankunda stayed in the lead attacking role rather than being pushed wider or dropped deeper.
That matters in a knockout match because the starting shape tells the story of trust. Popovic has chosen continuity over rotation, while Egypt has taken the opposite route with five changes before kickoff.
Egypt Changes Five
The contrast is clear before either side settles into the game. Egypt’s changes suggest a different mix from Hossam Hassan, while Australia has leaned on the same group that faced Paraguay.
Mo Salah is the other major figure in the matchup. He could move level with Hossam Hassan’s Egyptian record of 69 international goals if he scores, which gives Egypt one more individual milestone to chase inside the same match.
Irankunda At The Point
The first real threat came after 4 minutes, when Attia sent a long pass down the right and Shobeir came out to clear ahead of Irankunda. That was the first direct sign of where Australia wanted its leading attacker to live: close to the final ball and first to the loose one.
For Australia, the opening shape is simple enough to read. Irankunda starts as the attacking reference, Bos holds the right side, and Popovic has left the rest untouched from Paraguay as the live match unfolds in front of them.
