The Egyptian national football team is intensifying its preparations for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia, with the training camp at Al-Salam Stadium entering a crucial phase.
The match, scheduled for Friday, at Cairo International Stadium, is a key opportunity for the Pharaohs to solidify their position at the top of Group A.
The team, under the leadership of head coach Hossam Hassan, is currently in a training camp to integrate both domestic and international players.
While the full squad has been announced, professional players, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, are joining the camp after their club commitments, ensuring the team is at full strength for the pivotal match.
In a show of official support, Dr Ashraf Sobhi, the Minister of Youth and Sports, attended the team’s training session.
His visit aimed to provide a morale boost to the players and technical staff.
Sobhi expressed confidence in the team’s ability to achieve early qualification for the World Cup, highlighting the blend of experience and talent within the squad.
During his visit, the Minister affirmed the importance of national unity behind the team. “We are striving to secure early qualification for the World Cup,” he stated. “The national team has a distinguished group of players, led by Mohamed Salah, who possesses a professional mentality capable of passing it on to his teammates.”
The visit concluded with Sobhi praising the support provided by Egypt’s political leadership for the sports system, which he described as the “primary driver” of national achievements in sports.
This sentiment was echoed by Engineer Hany Abu Rida, who also confirmed his confidence in the technical staff and players to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup and bring joy to the Egyptian people.
Egypt holds a commanding lead in Group A with 16 points, and a victory against Ethiopia is essential to maintain their strong position before facing Burkina Faso in their next qualifier.
