New Zealand player questions Egypt’s second goal validity

New Zealand player Ben Old has raised questions about the legitimacy of Egypt's second goal during their recent 2026 World Cup qualifying match. Egypt secured a 3-1 victory over New Zealand in Vancouver, Canada.

Old described an incident where he felt he was fouled by Egyptian player Yasser Ibrahim. "I've touched the ball and I feel like he’s (Yasser Ibrahim) fouled me," Old stated. "As he’s gone to fall down, he’s fallen down on my ballsack and ripped my shorts and underwear."

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I’ve touched the ball and I feel like he’s (Yasser Ibrahim) fouled me. As he’s gone to fall down, he’s fallen down on my ballsack and ripped my shorts and underwear.

He added that he was in pain from the injury and uncertain about the events unfolding. "I was in pain from the injury. I didn’t know what was going on there. It’s frustrating," Old said. "But they scored again after that so we can’t blame it on that … It’s frustrating but the referee has made his decision and we have to accept it."

The Egyptian national team currently leads Group G in the 2026 World Cup standings with four points, earned from one win and one draw.

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I was in pain from the injury. I didn’t know what was going on there. It’s frustrating, but they scored again after that so we can’t blame it on that … It’s frustrating but the referee has made his decision and we have to accept it.