Egypt Returns to the 2026 World Cup: Salah, New Tactics, and the Pharaohs’ Football Revival

Egypt became the third African nation to book their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after securing a 3-0 win over Djibouti in match nine of the qualifiers. The Pharaohs are arguably the most successful team in Africa, and after missing out on the 2022 Qatar World Cup, fans are eager to know their fate this time around, but as things stand, fans are delighted to see players like Mohamed Salah back at the World Cup. As Egypt join Morocco and Tunisia for the World Cup, below is their historic run and expectations for the World Cup.

Ibrahim Adel and Mohamend Salah

Brief History of the National Team

The Egyptian national football team are the oldest on the African continent, and no doubt they have lived up to the billing. The team first came into existence in 1920, a time when most African countries had yet to dream of independence. The team made a shot at the global stage in the 1934 FIFA World Cup, where they played only one game before withdrawing. They lost the game 4-2 to Hungary, with Abdelrahman Faouzi scoring twice, becoming the first-ever African goalscorer at the World Cup.

They returned to the continental games and won the inaugural Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1957. The late 1950s marked Egypt's inaugural golden era with back-to-back AFCON triumphs. Down the line, they are now the most successful African country with a record seven (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, and 2010) AFCON titles. They have made three World Cup appearances (1934, 1990, 2018) with the 4th waiting in 2026.

Despite this interesting display of dominance on the African soil, the team have endured challenges that have led them to change coaches virtually yearly. The team has had nine different coaches since 2011, with the new coach, Hossam Hassan, taking over in 2024.

Mo Salah and Trezeguet

Road to the Current World Cup

Egypt had everything on a platter of gold when they began their World Cup qualification in 2023, defeating Djibouti 6-0, with Mohamed Salah scoring four goals in that encounter. They extended the win with a 2-0 victory over Sierra Leone, with Trézéguet getting a brace. They defeated Burkina Faso in game three before dropping a point in a 1-1 draw against Guinea-Bissau. They continued to earn maximum points until a goalless draw in game eight of the qualifiers against Burkina Faso. Still, their determination paid off as they defeated Djibouti 3-0 in game nine to book their qualification.

No doubt, the Pharaohs owe their head coach, Hossam Hassan, a special thanks for leading the team to the World Cup after they had previously missed out on the 2022 edition. Despite Egypt's reputation in African football, they have failed to make it past the group stage in all their appearances at the World Cup. Not only that, they have not seen a win at the FIFA World Cup finals. They will now be eager to make a mark at the World Cup finals, replicating the display of their fellow North African country, Morocco, at the 2022 World Cup, where they made it as far as the semis. The team is counting on its coach and players to make history in 2026.

Trezeguet

Squad Overview

Egypt have enjoyed the mixture of both home-based and foreign-based players in the qualifiers. The team boasts a strong offence and a solid defence line. They have scored 19 goals, including nine against Djibouti, conceded just two and have kept seven clean sheets.

Individually, Mohamed El Shenawy's excellence has been evident throughout the qualifiers with saves and clean sheets. Although he is a home-based goalkeeper for Al Ahly FC, he has gathered both national, continental and global experience, as he was in goal for his club during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The defence line has been up to the task in a 3-man defence that always has Khaled Sobhi of Al Masry, Rami Rabia of Al-Ain, Mohamed Hany of Al Ahly or Mohamed Hamdi of Pyramids. One commonality among these players is that they ply their trade in Egypt.

Team Captain Mo Salah and Coach Hossam Hassan

Team captain and Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah leads the team attack with nine goals in these qualifiers, and Trezeguet follows with five goals. The experience of these two attackers, who were both present the last time Egypt went to the World Cup in Russia 2018, and the integration of new cats like Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed, is the stronghold of the team.

Coach Hassan has made history as the first player to take Egypt to the World Cup as a player (1990) and as a coach (2026). This achievement not just increases his credentials as a coach but also inks his name among the legends in history.

Players and coaching staff of the Egyptian national football team

Fans’ Reaction and Expectations

Since booking their place at the FIFA 2026 World Cup, there have been mixed feelings not only in Egypt but across Africa and even Europe. Lots of congratulatory messages, but some netizens still found a way to ask if this team can make it beyond the group stage at the World Cup. Nevertheless, the coach isn’t concerned about the challenges they might face at the World Cup. He is happy that the fans are delighted at this moment, and for him, the future will take care of itself.

Coach Hossam Hassan

Conclusion

The Pharaohs of Egypt are roaring again, proving themselves as the most successful team on African soil. They were unbeaten throughout the qualifiers, booking a place in the World Cup with one game to go. However, the time is now to prove to the world what they are made of and replicate this impressive performance next year. By doing so, they will break the group stage boundary, and given the quality of players in their squad, it is achievable.

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