football 16 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Egypt's World Cup Ambition: Not Just Here to Participate, Says Coach Hassan
Egypt's national football team coach Hossam Hassan asserted that the Pharaohs are in the World Cup with genuine aspirations, not merely to make up the numbers, following their strong 1-1 draw against Belgium. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/world-cup/-top-quality-egypt-not-at-world-cup-to-make-up-the-numbers-coach-says-5498428
Egypt’s national football team is not at the World Cup simply to participate; they are here to compete. Coach Hossam Hassan made this clear following a spirited 1-1 draw against Belgium, where the Pharaohs showcased their potential.
The match saw Egypt take a 20th-minute lead through Emam Ashour’s impressive strike. Despite a strong performance, Belgium managed to equalize in the 66th minute via an own goal from Mohamed Hany, shortly after Romelu Lukaku entered the game.
Hassan emphasized that his squad is composed of “top-quality” players, including global stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, who provide significant motivation. He stated, “We are definitely not here just to make up the numbers. The win was in our hands today.”
Despite it being their fourth World Cup appearance, Egypt is aiming for their best-ever performance. The draw against a highly-ranked Belgian side, which featured 14 goal attempts from the Pharaohs, signals their intent to compete against top teams.
Hassan also defended his decision to substitute captain Mohamed Salah while the score was level. He stressed the importance of the collective team, stating, “We do not rely on a single player but on a collective 26.” He praised both Salah and Marmoush for their dedicated performances.
This World Cup campaign is part of a broader effort to rebuild the national team’s identity and instill a belief in their ability to contend on the world stage. Hassan aims to cultivate a strong mindset and confidence within the squad, reflecting the ambitions of Egypt’s large population.
Egypt is scheduled to play New Zealand and Iran in their subsequent Group G matches. The Pharaohs’ best World Cup performance to date was in 1990, achieving two draws and one loss.