CAIRO — Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, has congratulated the U-20 national football team after clinching a coveted spot at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Chile from September 27 to October 19, 2025.
The Young Pharaohs booked their ticket to the global tournament with a thrilling 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Ghana in the quarter-finals of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following a gripping 2-2 draw after extra time at the New Suez Stadium.
The result propelled Egypt into the semi-finals of the continental showpiece and sealed their long-awaited return to the world stage after a 12-year absence, with their last appearance dating back to the 2013 edition in Turkey.
In a phone call to the players and technical staff, Dr. Sobhi lauded the team’s fighting spirit and historic achievement.
“You have made the Egyptian people proud with this long-overdue World Cup qualification. It’s a moment of national celebration.”
Egypt will face Morocco in the U-20 AFCON semi-finals on Thursday, after the Atlas Lions booked their spot with a hard-fought 1-0 extra-time victory over Sierra Leone.
Highlighting the team’s potential, the minister added: “You displayed exceptional skill and determination. This squad represents the future of Egyptian football, and this achievement marks the first step toward building a team capable of competing at the 2028 Olympic Games. Today is not the end—it’s the beginning.”
Egypt’s qualification places them among Africa’s top four at the U-20 AFCON, alongside Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa—all of whom secured World Cup berths by reaching the semi-finals of the tournament hosted on Egyptian soil.
With confidence and momentum on their side, the Young Pharaohs now look to build on their success and deliver a standout performance on the global stage in Chile.
