‘We Sold Our Clothes to Buy Food’ — Pharaohs Forward Opens Up on Poverty, Homelessness and the Journey That Shaped His Career
Egypt international Mostafa Ziko has shared the extraordinary story of hardship behind his rise to the FIFA World Cup stage, revealing that he once slept on the streets, struggled to find food and relied on a mosque to wash before training.
The 26-year-old winger, one of the standout performers in Egypt’s historic FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, spoke candidly during an emotional interview with MBC Masr, describing the sacrifices his family made after the death of his father.
“When my father passed away, we were left with nothing,” Ziko recalled.
“My brother had to quit football to work and support the family while I continued training.”
The financial crisis pushed the family into extreme poverty.
“We didn’t have money to buy food. We sold our clothes to get meals. We lived in debt and had to borrow money.”
For Ziko, the struggle became even more personal.
“I used to sleep on the street. I would wake up, go to a mosque to wash, train, work, and at night I would return to sleep on the street.”
The Egypt international said life only began to improve when he and his brother eventually secured paid employment.
“Only when my brother and I started earning a salary were we able to move forward, pay our debts, and give our mother peace of mind.”
His testimony has resonated deeply across Egypt, where Ziko emerged as one of the heroes of the Pharaohs’ memorable World Cup run. He scored during Egypt’s dramatic Round of 16 clash against defending champions Argentina, helping his side establish a 2-0 lead before the South Americans mounted a late comeback to win 3-2 after a controversial encounter.
Despite the heartbreaking exit, Egypt achieved several historic milestones at the tournament, including recording their first-ever World Cup victory and reaching the knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history. The team’s performances united millions of supporters and earned widespread praise from fans and national leaders alike.
Ziko’s journey from homelessness to representing his country on football’s biggest stage has become one of the defining human-interest stories of the tournament, illustrating the determination required to succeed at the highest level.
His story also offers a powerful reminder that behind many elite footballers are years of unseen sacrifice, family hardship and relentless perseverance. For Mostafa Ziko, the World Cup was more than a football tournament. It was proof that even the harshest beginnings do not have to determine the ending.
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