Omar Marmoush Seeks First World Cup Win for Egypt Against New Zealand

Omar Marmoush will start for Egypt against New Zealand in Vancouver on June 21 as the Pharaohs seek their first World Cup victory. Egypt enters the match after a 1-1 draw with Belgium in its Group G opener. Marmoush rejected an approach from the Canadian national team before committing to Egypt.

The Canadian Soccer Association contacted him and its head coach called him personally, but Marmoush said his decision was already made. the head coach called me personally," Marmoush told Egyptian talk show Sahibat Al Saada.

Marmoush's parents obtained Canadian citizenship after working in Canada prior to his birth. He left Wadi Degla in Cairo at age 18 to join Wolfsburg in Germany. Loan spells at St. Pauli and Stuttgart preceded his rise at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Manchester City paid 70 million euros ($80 million) to sign him from Frankfurt 17 months before June 20, 2026. At club level Marmoush has competed with Erling Haaland for a starting place. "It’s difficult but at the same time it makes you better, knowing that when you’re on the pitch you have to give your best," he told GQ Middle East.

"I trained hard to get here, you know? My whole career led up to this point – to compete and play with the best players in the world, trying to win titles," Marmoush added. Egypt has won a record seven African continental titles but has played eight World Cup matches without a victory.

New Zealand is ranked 56 places below Egypt in the FIFA rankings. Mohamed Salah, 34, completed a nine-year spell at Liverpool before the tournament. " Marmoush said the presence of multiple Middle East and North African teams at the tournament adds motivation.

"I think the World Cup is a football moment where you can dream to go as far as possible," he stated.