Egypt have qualified for the 2026 World Cup unbeaten, booking their ticket to North America with a game to spare. They scored 19 goals in nine qualifiers, with Mohamed Salah leading the way on nine, while conceding just two and keeping seven clean sheets. Despite those impressive numbers, Egypt’s style remains pragmatic rather than romantic, relying on defensive solidity and quick transitions.
Manager Hossam Hassan has settled on “90%” of his starting XI, likely a 4-3-3 formation that can shift to 4-2-3-1 when chasing a game. The spine includes goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy, centre-backs Rami Rabia and either Hossam Abdelmaguid or Yasser Ibrahim, with Marwan Attia and Hamdi Fathi screening the defence. Emam Ashour will look to supply the front three, led by Salah and Omar Marmoush.
Hassan, Egypt’s all-time leading scorer as a player, has won no trophies as a manager. His appointment in 2024 carried a nationalist tone, and after a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final defeat to Senegal, he blamed mosquito-infested hotels and scheduling conspiracies. When a journalist pressed him on tactics, he replied: “Your questions are impolite and show no respect. I will not answer you.”
This remains Mohamed Salah’s team. The 33-year-old turns 34 on the day of Egypt’s first group match, and he is acutely aware this may be his final chance to win a World Cup game – something Egypt have never done. In qualifying, he was decisive, scoring twice in the match that secured the spot. Forward Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed said of Hassan: “He manages to convince you that you are the best player in the world even if you’re coming to the camp not having been in good form.”
Egypt were drawn in Group G with Belgium, Iran and New Zealand. They are cohesive and hard to score against, but can look blunt if opponents double up on Salah and the midfield cannot pass through the press. Ending their winless World Cup run is the floor-level target.
