Iran had a stoppage-time goal disallowed as they drew 1-1 with Egypt in their final Group G match at Seattle Stadium on Friday.
Defender Shojae Khalilzadeh appeared to have scored the winner three minutes into added time after a scramble in the Egypt penalty area. But following a VAR review, the goal was ruled out for a narrow offside.
The match also drew strong attention off the pitch, with Iranian football fans gathering at Tehran’s “Book Garden” venue to follow their national team’s third 2026 FIFA World Cup appearance against Egypt.
Iran, who are trying to reach the knockout stage for the first time, finished third in Group G with three points. They must now wait to see whether they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
Egypt had already secured a place in the last 32 and finished second in the group after Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 to take top spot on goal difference.
Egypt will face Australia in Arlington, Texas, on 3 July.
Egypt took the lead in the fifth minute when Mahmoud Saber drove a loose ball through a crowd of Iranian defenders and past goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Iran responded quickly. Mehdi Taremi won a penalty in the 11th minute, but his spot-kick was saved by Mostafa Shoubir.
Three minutes later, Iran equalised when Ramin Rezaeian scored from a tight angle after another save from the Egyptian goalkeeper.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan started with a strong side in search of victory, although he substituted former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah in the 57th minute.
The first half produced 14 shots between the two teams, five of them on target, and four yellow cards.
The pace of the game slowed after the frantic opening spell, but Iran increased the pressure after the second-half hydration break.
Their late push brought a dramatic finish, with Khalilzadeh briefly thinking he had scored the winner before VAR intervened.
Iran also hit the crossbar in stoppage time as Egypt held on for the draw.
The result left Egypt level with Belgium on five points, but Belgium finished first in Group G with a superior goal difference.
Video from outside Seattle Stadium showed police setting up barricades ahead of the match, while people gathered with Iranian flags and chanted near the venue.
The protest took place as the Iran-Egypt match attracted attention beyond the pitch, with Seattle marking Pride events around the fixture.
Local organisers had designated the match as part of Seattle’s Pride Match Day, drawing objections from both the Iranian and Egyptian football federations.
FIFA said rainbow flags and other symbols would be allowed inside the stadium as long as they complied with the tournament’s code of conduct.
The match went ahead without major disruption inside the stadium.
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