CAIRO — The roar of Cairo International Stadium echoed deep into the night as tens of thousands of Egyptian fans turned the stands into a sea of red, white, and black. Patriotic songs blared through the speakers, drums thundered in rhythm, and voices united in celebration of the Pharaohs’ long-awaited qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Egypt clinched a narrow 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday night, confirming their place at next year’s World Cup in emphatic style.
A giant tifo unfurled across the terraces — the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the World Cup trophy — a vivid symbol of national pride for a country returning to football’s grandest stage.
Led by the fiery Hossam Hassan, the Pharaohs completed their African campaign unbeaten, topping Group A with 26 points from 10 matches — eight wins and two draws — in a pool that included Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, and Djibouti.
Their flawless run places Egypt among an elite circle of African nations — Tunisia, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal — who also reached the finals without tasting defeat.
The 2026 tournament, hosted jointly by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, marks Egypt’s fourth World Cup appearance, following campaigns in 1934, 1990, and 2018. For the first time in history, the competition will feature 48 teams, with the draw scheduled for December 5 in Washington, D.C.
A moment of pride
Hani Abu Rida, President of the Egyptian Football Association, hailed the qualification as a “moment of pride for Egyptian football.”
“Congratulations to our fans. Reaching the World Cup is always a joyful and historic moment. Whether in 2018 or 2026, this achievement carries great value for our football,” Abu Rida told ON Sport TV.
He extended his gratitude to the players and technical staff, adding: “They delivered remarkable performances throughout the qualifiers. Their effort deserves every praise, and I congratulate the Egyptian people on this success.”
Hassan’s dual feat
For head coach Hossam Hassan, qualification carried a deeply personal meaning. The legendary former striker, who represented Egypt at the 1990 World Cup, now joins a rare group to reach football’s ultimate tournament both as a player and coach.
Following the Pharaohs’ final qualifier victory over Guinea-Bissau, Hassan expressed pride in his team’s discipline and unity.
“We worked hard to make the fans happy. Winning the last match was vital — not only to finish unbeaten but also to improve our world ranking ahead of the draw,” Hossam said after the match.
He revealed that the technical staff had succeeded in lowering the team’s average age to just 25 years, calling it “a wonderful sign for the future.”
On his relationship with team captain Mohamed Salah, Hassan said: “Salah is my little brother — he’s a pride for Egypt.”
Looking ahead, the coach sets his sights on continental glory: “We will fight for the African Cup of Nations title. This tournament will be a key step in preparing for the World Cup. We always play to win.”
Hassan closed with a reflection that blended pride and humility: “It’s an honor for me to qualify for the World Cup as both a player and a coach.”
Stars rise
Egypt’s qualification marks its fourth appearance at the World Cup — after campaigns in 1934 and 1990 in Italy, and 2018 in Russia.
Star forward Mohamed Salah led the Pharaohs’ scoring charts with nine goals, ranking second overall in the African qualifiers alongside Algeria’s Mohamed Amine Amoura, Gabon’s Denis Bouanga, and Mali’s Kiki Doumbia (each with eight).
He was well supported by Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” (5 goals), Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” (2), and Mostafa Mohamed, Omar Marmoush, and Ibrahim Adel, who each added one.
As anticipation builds for the World Cup draw in December, Egypt’s fans are daring to dream once more. For the Pharaohs, the road to North America is already paved with pride — and the promise of another golden chapter in their storied football history.
