Egypt ramp up their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they take on Russia in their penultimate warm-up game at the Cairo International Stadium on Thursday. The North African giants will follow Thursday’s tie with a final friendly fixture against Brazil on June 6, nine days before taking center stage at the global tournament with an opening game against Belgium.
Egypt are in action for the first time since March 31, when they showed their mettle to hold European giants Spain to a goalless draw at the RCDE Stadium.
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Before that, Hossam Hassan’s men suffered a penalty-shootout defeat against Nigeria in the 2026 AFCON on January 17 before bouncing back in a commanding 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the first of four warm-up games ahead of the World Cup.
Egypt have been drawn in Group G of the World Cup alongside Iran, New Zealand, and 2018 bronze medalists Belgium, who are expected to pose the biggest threat in the group.
Like Egypt, Russia’s last outing came on March 31, when they played out a goalless draw with Mali, with CSKA Moscow midfielder Ivan Oblyakov failing to convert from the penalty spot in the 28th minute at the Gazprom Arena.
However, with that result, Valeriy Karpin’s side are unbeaten in 21 of their last 22 matches since the competitive ban, with the only defeat in that time coming in November 2025, when they were beaten 2-0 by Chile.
Russia have called up 32 players for the friendlies against Egypt and Burkina Faso, with the experienced midfield duo of Anton Miranchuk and Aleksei Miranchuk, and Monaco man Aleksandr Golovin, headlining the team.
Egypt vs Russia Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the second meeting between Egypt and Russia, with Karpin’s men picking up a comfortable victory in their previous encounter back in June 2018.
- That matchup came in Group A of the 2018 World Cup, with Denis Cheryshev, Artem Dzuba, and an own goal from Ahmed Fathi firing Russia to all three points.
- Russia have lost just one of their last 22 friendly matches since their competitive ban in 2022, picking up 15 wins and six draws in that time.
- Egypt are unbeaten in six of their most recent seven friendly games, claiming four wins and two draws since September 2025.
Egypt vs Russia Prediction
Russia have named a large squad predominantly made up of home-based players, and they are in for a tough 90 minutes against Egypt, who will be out to gather momentum ahead of the World Cup. While key players are expected to be handed limited minutes, should Hassan opt to field a strong XI, we fancy the Pharaohs to come out on top in front of their home crowd.
Prediction: Egypt 2-1 Russia
Egypt vs Russia Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Egypt to win
Tip 2: Over 10.5 corners – No (There have been fewer than 11 corner kicks in six of Egypt’s last seven games)
Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards – No (There have also been fewer than five bookings in six of the hosts’ last seven outings)
Edited by Peter Pedroncelli