Emam Ashour opened the scoring early in the first half in Seattle, before Romelu Lukaku came off the bench after the hour to force Egypt's Mohamed Hany into an own goal.

With the draw, seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt's wait for a first victory at a World Cup goes on.

This is their fourth participation in the global showpiece and with Group G fixtures to come against Iran and New Zealand, they will hope to break that hoodoo in North America.

"We know Belgium are a good team, (they have) good quality players but we can't say it was the hardest game or easiest game. Every game for us has got to be three points," Egypt's 18-year-old Barcelona forward Hamza Abdelkarim said.

For Belgium, who are now without a win in their last three World Cup matches going back to their group-stage exit in 2022, this tournament is likely the last chance for the remnants of their golden generation to better their third-placed finish in Russia eight years ago and finally win silverware.

Veterans Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Lukaku are the main protagonists of that group still involved in Rudi Garcia's squad.

"The opening match of a competition like the World Cup is always a tough one, especially against one of Africa's top teams," Garcia said.

"We managed to equalize thanks to a player who came off the bench, which shows just how important the whole squad is."