Australia eliminated from World Cup after penalty shootout loss to Egypt; Asia shut out

Australia's bid for a second consecutive appearance in the World Cup Round of 16 ended in heartbreak on Thursday, as they were defeated by Egypt in a dramatic penalty shootout in the Round of 32. The match, held at Dallas Stadium, concluded 1-1 after extra time, with Egypt ultimately prevailing 4-2 from the spot.

The Socceroos entered the knockout stage as the second-place team in Group D, with a record of one win, one draw, and one loss. Their journey in the 2026 North American World Cup came to an abrupt end against an Egyptian side that had progressed from Group G as runners-up.

Egypt, participating in the World Cup finals for the first time in eight years, showcased resilience throughout the group stage, securing a draw against Belgium, a win against New Zealand, and another draw against Iran. Their victory over Australia marks a significant achievement for the African nation, extending their tournament run.

Australia's elimination signifies a complete exit for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) from the tournament. Following the early departures of South Korea, Qatar, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, and Uzbekistan in the group stage, and Japan's earlier elimination in the Round of 32, Australia's loss means no AFC team will feature in the latter stages of the competition.