Mohamed Salah Leads the Pharaohs Back to the Global Stage
Egypt
FIFA World Cup 2026 Team Profile
Egypt returns to the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time in its history after an impressive qualifying campaign in the African zone. The Pharaohs dominated their group with experience, defensive organization and the brilliance of global superstar Mohamed Salah.
After missing out on Qatar 2022, Egypt now heads to North America with renewed ambition. Supported by millions of passionate fans and a talented generation led by Salah, Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed, the Pharaohs dream of finally earning their first-ever World Cup victory.
Egypt at the FIFA World Cup
- Confederation: CAF
- First appearance: Italy 1934
- World Cup appearances: 4
- Best result: Group Stage
- Last appearance: Russia 2018
- Head coach: Hossam Hassan
- Nickname: The Pharaohs
Head Coach: Hossam Hassan
One of the greatest players in Egyptian football history, Hossam Hassan took charge of the national team in February 2024 with the mission of restoring pride and competitiveness to the Pharaohs.
Known as “The Colonel,” Hassan enjoyed a legendary playing career with Al Ahly, Zamalek and the Egyptian national team, becoming the country’s all-time leading scorer before transitioning into coaching.
Under his leadership, Egypt completed an unbeaten qualifying campaign and secured its place at World Cup 2026 with one match to spare.
Road to World Cup 2026
Egypt dominated CAF qualifying Group A, finishing ahead of Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia and Djibouti.
The Pharaohs collected eight wins and two draws, scoring 20 goals while conceding only two. Mohamed Salah led the way with nine goals during qualification.
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Goals Scored |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8 | 2 | 20 |
World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule
- June 15: Belgium vs Egypt — Seattle Stadium
- June 21: New Zealand vs Egypt — BC Place Vancouver
- June 26: Egypt vs Iran — Seattle Stadium
World Cup History
Egypt became the first African and Arab nation ever to participate in a FIFA World Cup when it qualified for Italy 1934.
Although the Pharaohs have never advanced beyond the group stage, they remain one of the continent’s most historic football nations and continue to inspire generations across Africa and the Middle East.
Star Player: Mohamed Salah
Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah remains the symbol of Egyptian football. After scoring twice at Russia 2018, he arrives at World Cup 2026 determined to guide his nation toward its first-ever victory at the tournament.
Alongside rising stars like Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed, Salah gives Egypt one of the most dangerous attacking trios in African football.
World Cup Records
Mohamed Salah and Abdelrahman Fawzi share the record as Egypt’s top World Cup scorers with two goals each.
Fawzi became the first African and Arab player ever to score at a World Cup during Egypt’s match against Hungary in 1934.
Memorable World Cup Moments
One of Egypt’s most iconic World Cup memories came at Italy 1990, when the Pharaohs earned a historic 1-1 draw against reigning European champions Netherlands thanks to a Magdy Abdelghany penalty.
Another unforgettable moment arrived at Russia 2018 when Mohamed Salah scored Egypt’s first World Cup goal in 28 years.
2026 Outlook
Egypt enters World Cup 2026 with confidence, experience and one of Africa’s strongest squads. Defensive balance and Salah’s attacking brilliance make the Pharaohs a dangerous opponent capable of challenging bigger nations.
The biggest objective remains historic: winning the country’s first-ever World Cup match and finally reaching the knockout stage for the first time.
EGYPT
Goalkeepers
- #1 Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly, Egypt)
- #23 Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly, Egypt)
- #16 Mahdy Soliman (Zamalek, Egypt)
- #26 Mohamed Alaa (El Gouna FC, Egypt)
Defenders
- #2 Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly, Egypt)
- #3 Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly, Egypt)
- #4 Hossam Abdelmaguid (Zamalek, Egypt)
- #5 Rami Rabia (Al Ain, United Arab Emirates)
- #6 Mohamed Abdelmonem (OGC Nice, France)
- #13 Ahmed Fattouh (Zamalek, Egypt)
- #14 Hamdy Fathy (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
- #15 Karim Hafez (Pyramids FC, Egypt)
- #24 Tarek Alaa (ZED FC, Egypt)
Midfielders
- #7 Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” (Al Ahly, Egypt)
- #8 Emam Ashour (Al Ahly, Egypt)
- #9 Hamza Abdelkarim (FC Barcelona, Spain)
- #11 Mostafa Ziko (Pyramids FC, Egypt)
- #12 Hossam Hassan (Rizespor, Turkey)
- #17 Mohamed Lasheen (Pyramids FC, Egypt)
- #18 Nabil Donga (Al Najmah SC, Saudi Arabia)
- #19 Marwan Attia (Al Ahly, Egypt)
- #20 Ibrahim Adel (Nordsjælland, Denmark)
- #21 Mahmoud Saber (ZED FC, Egypt)
- #25 Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” (Al Ahly, Egypt)
Forwards
- #10 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, England)
- #22 Omar Marmoush (Manchester City, England)
Head Coach
- Hossam Hassan (Egypt)
