With all four teams drawing their first game, Group G remains tight, and the need for a win is all the more pressing for Darren Bazeley's New Zealand, which was twice pegged back by Iran and now faces Belgium in its final group game.

"When you're leading twice in a game you come away with that 'what if?'," Bazeley said after his side was held to a stalemate by Iran.

"We were probably as close as we've ever been to ‌winning a ⁠game at the [FIFA] World Cup, and we couldn't quite do that today."

The All Whites drew all three games at their previous FIFA World Cup appearance in 2010 and looked set for a historic first win against Iran thanks to two goals from Elijah Just.

They will be hoping that star striker Chris Wood can bring his physicality to bear against the Pharaohs.

That could prove to be a tough task against a team that only conceded two goals in its 10-game qualifying campaign and which held Belgium to a 1-1 draw in their opener.

Mohamed Salah netted nine goals in Egypt's qualifying campaign and is again expected to play a key role for Egypt, but coach Hossam Hassan is keen to ease his side's dependence on the winger.

"The whole world is waiting to see the face of Egypt as a respected team, with all of the players, with Salah as well," he said.

"But we don't want to rely on one single star. We want to rely on the group and work within that framework of a project."

Hassan's intent to build a team for the future would receive a serious boost if it can grab a win over New Zealand that could see it through to the knockout stages.

"I told them [the Egyptian people] that we have to have a new ⁠national identity ​for our national squad," he said.

"We try to work on the mindset ​of the players, prepare our players and try to build their confidence that they are a strong team."