CAIRO — Egypt is marching back to football’s biggest stage. For the fourth time in their proud history, the Pharaohs have booked their place among the global elite, clinching qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With one round still to play, Egypt sits comfortably atop Group A with 23 points, securing their ticket well before the final whistle of the qualifiers. It marks another golden chapter in the story of a nation steeped in football tradition and passion — and one that has waited seven long years to see its heroes return to the world’s biggest stage.
The 2026 World Cup will mark Egypt’s fourth appearance at the tournament and their first since Russia 2018 — following historic showings in Italy in 1934 and 1990. For millions of Egyptian fans, it’s more than just a qualification; it’s a revival of dreams and a promise that the Pharaohs are once again ready to stand tall among the world’s best.
FIFA’s recognition
Egypt’s qualification drew praise from the highest levels of global football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent an official letter to Hani Abou Rida, President of the Egyptian Football Association and a member of the FIFA Council, congratulating Egypt on their achievement.
“On behalf of the football community, we would like to congratulate you on this well-deserved qualification for the World Cup for the fourth time,” Infantino wrote.
“We extend our sincere congratulations to the players, the coach, the technical staff, and the enthusiastic fans. We wish you success in the 2026 World Cup.”
Salah shines
It was a captain’s performance from Mohamed Salah that lit up the night in Morocco. The Liverpool talisman struck twice in Egypt’s 3–0 victory over Djibouti, the result that mathematically booked the Pharaohs’ passage to the 2026 finals.
Ibrahim Adel set the tone early, finding the net inside eight minutes at the Arab El-Zawaly Stadium in Casablanca. Salah then took over — first slotting in the 14th minute from a Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” assist, then sealing the triumph with a cool finish six minutes from time after a clever setup from Marwan Attia.
The win took Egypt to an unassailable 23 points, leaving second-placed Burkina Faso five points adrift. For manager Hossam Hassan and his men, the mission was complete — and the celebrations were instant.
Finale of joy
The Pharaohs will conclude their qualifying campaign against Guinea-Bissau at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday night, in what promises to be a carnival atmosphere. Tens of thousands of fans are expected to pack the stands to celebrate the team’s qualification and salute their journey to North America.
Egypt’s record in the qualifiers has been formidable — seven wins and two draws, with a strong defensive display and Salah’s leadership proving decisive.
Golden era
Egypt’s qualification adds to what is shaping up to be a record-breaking World Cup for Arab nations. With 48 teams set to compete for the first time, the 2026 edition will witness historic Arab participation.
So far, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan have secured their places. A sixth slot will be contested among Qatar, the UAE, and Oman, who are battling in the first group of the Asian playoff. The winner qualifies directly, while the runner-up heads to an intercontinental playoff that could yield a seventh Arab team at the finals.
The Arab world’s previous record came at Russia 2018, when four teams — Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia — featured. Now, that number could nearly double.
Algeria qualified for the fifth time and the first since 2014, when they reached the last 16 before bowing out to eventual champions Germany.
Tunisia and Morocco will each make their seventh appearances, sharing the record for the most Arab qualifications.
Jordan made history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time ever, ending a four-decade wait.
The expanded format has opened new doors for nations long on the cusp of global recognition, offering a wider stage for Arab football to shine.
Historic rewards
For Egypt, the challenge now is to build on this success. Expectations will be high, but the Pharaohs have rediscovered their winning spirit. Under the leadership of Hossam Hassan and with Salah at his peak, Egypt’s ambitions extend far beyond simply participating.
Beyond pride, Egypt’s qualification brings tangible rewards. The Pharaohs will receive $10.5 million from FIFA — including a $1.5 million preparatory grant and a guaranteed $9 million participation fee for the group stage.
FIFA has increased the total prize pool for the 2026 World Cup to $440 million, nearly $100 million higher than the 2022 edition in Qatar, thanks to the expanded format. The financial boost is designed to help qualified teams prepare better and compete at higher levels.
For Egypt, the funds will support training camps, travel, and logistics — crucial investments as the team looks to make a deeper run this time. Despite three previous appearances (1934, 1990, and 2018), Egypt has yet to progress beyond the group stage. This generation, led by Salah, hopes to change that.
