Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has declared that the Pharaohs are determined to reach the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a manner that will earn the admiration of Egyptians, Africans, and the wider Arab world, as they prepare for a decisive Group G showdown.
Speaking ahead of Egypt’s crucial final group match, the legendary former striker said his team is driven by more than just qualification, insisting the players are determined to elevate the reputation of Egyptian football on the global stage.
“God willing, we will secure our qualification to the next round of the World Cup in a way that makes the people of Egypt, Africa, and the Arab world respect Egyptian football and the national team even more.”
Hassan’s confidence follows a remarkable turnaround in Egypt’s World Cup campaign. After opening the tournament with a hard-fought draw against Belgium, the Pharaohs secured their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory by defeating New Zealand 3-1, a historic result that moved them to the top of Group G and put qualification for the Round of 32 firmly within their grasp. (
The victory over New Zealand represented a watershed moment for Egyptian football. Despite being Africa’s first representative at a FIFA World Cup in 1934 and one of the continent’s most decorated national teams, Egypt had previously failed to win any of their seven matches across the 1934, 1990 and 2018 tournaments. Hassan has repeatedly described ending that long wait as only the beginning of a broader ambition to restore Egypt’s standing among football’s elite.
Since taking charge of the national team, Hassan has emphasized that his project extends beyond immediate results. The 58-year-old has overseen Egypt through World Cup qualification, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, and a series of high-profile international friendlies, believing those experiences have gradually shaped a more competitive and confident squad.
“Our work started long before the World Cup,” Hassan said recently. “There has been clear development in the team.”
Central to Egypt’s resurgence has been captain Mohamed Salah. Rather than deploying Liverpool’s star forward in his traditional role, Hassan has given Salah greater creative freedom in a central attacking position behind striker Omar Marmoush—a tactical adjustment that has already paid dividends.
Salah has responded with influential performances, contributing goals and assists while orchestrating Egypt’s attack. Hassan has praised the captain’s evolution, describing him as “a new version” of himself whose creativity and leadership have become vital to the team’s success.
Despite Egypt’s encouraging position, Hassan has urged his players to remain focused. Their final group-stage encounter presents another significant test, with qualification still to be mathematically secured against a determined opponent. The coach has repeatedly stressed that discipline, concentration, and collective effort—not individual brilliance alone—will determine whether Egypt continue their historic journey.
For Hassan, the stakes extend beyond this tournament. One of Egypt’s greatest-ever footballers and the nation’s all-time leading scorer, he believes the current generation has an opportunity to reshape international perceptions of Egyptian football.
His ambition is not simply to qualify for the knockout rounds, but to demonstrate that Egypt belongs among the world’s strongest footballing nations—a belief strengthened by recent performances against elite opposition and by a squad blending experienced leaders with emerging talent.
Should the Pharaohs achieve qualification, it would represent another landmark achievement in a campaign already rich in history. More importantly, it would reinforce Hassan’s conviction that Egyptian football is ready to compete with the very best, while giving Africa and the Arab world another representative capable of making a meaningful impact on football’s biggest stage.
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