New Zealand and Egypt kicked off their Group G match at BC Place in Vancouver on Sunday at 6 p.m. local time, with Egypt seeking its first World Cup victory in history. The game is the 40th match of the tournament, drawing thousands of fans to downtown Vancouver.
Downtown Vancouver Flooded with Red for Salah
By 3:50 p.m., downtown Vancouver was a sea of red, with many fans wearing Liverpool jerseys rather than Egypt kits, reflecting the popularity of Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, who just concluded his final season with Liverpool as a champion and club legend. Salah now hopes to lift his national team, as the Pharaohs have yet to record a World Cup win.
Coach Hossam Hassan addressed rumours on Saturday that Salah had an angry confrontation with him in training. Hassan dismissed the reports, stating, "Mo Salah is an important player for our squad. The 26 players who are here with me are very important … all the young ones who have joined us lately, they're all very important." He added, "Every player who has worked with me knows that I'm dealing with them in a professional manner, and how can I say it? I do not have favourites."
Hassan Denies Rift, Praises Salah's Discipline
Hassan emphasized that he trusts all 26 players and they trust him. "Mohammed Salah is a great player who helps his teammates, and he has a lot of discipline, and he's a role model. If he starts in the starting lineup, if he gets substituted, it's fine, it's his role as a player." He added, "Everyone knows that Hosam Hassan is working for the benefit of the team, for the benefit of the national football, and everyone is equal in my eyes. And also nothing happened."
Hassan concluded, "I think rumours are being spread, rumours are being spread about stars, about players, about teams, but Salah is someone who's very disciplined. He trains with us, he's the first player that would also say yes to my decision as a technical director. So I think he will be very positive tomorrow."
Match Day Logistics and Fan Zones
The Last Mile, a pedestrian-only corridor and fan zone for both ticket holders and non-ticket holders, opened at 2 p.m., four hours before kickoff. Doors to BC Place stadium opened at 3 p.m., three hours before the match. FIFA also released a map of match day traffic closures and detours for Vancouver, with TransLink announcing World Cup 2026 transit plans.
Fans are reminded of the rules for BC Place entry, including prohibited items and bag policies. Organizers promoted pedestrian access to the games, with several routes designated for walking.
World Cup Impact on Vancouver
The World Cup has brought significant business to Vancouver hospitality companies, though some have experienced boom-and-bust cycles. Trade groups are networking and landing deals during the games, while the city hosts 16 free World Cup watch parties in Metro Vancouver.
