The Pharaohs, who have featured at the finals three times (1934, 1990, 2018), need just two points from their remaining two matches to confirm their place at the expanded 48-team tournament to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Egypt top the group with 20 points, five ahead of second-placed Burkina Faso, who visit Sierra Leone on the same day.

On paper, Hossam Hassan’s side are heavy favorites against bottom-placed Djibouti, who have earned just one point from eight matches and have been forced to play home games outside the country due to stadium accreditation issues with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

A win on Wednesday would effectively guarantee qualification for Egypt and set the stage for home celebrations in Cairo when they host Guinea-Bissau in their final qualifier on Sunday.

No surprises in squad

Coach Hassan has made minimal changes to the squad that faced Ethiopia (2-0) and Burkina Faso (0-0) in September, with key players Mohamed Salah, Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan and veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy all included.

Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, who scored against Ethiopia, last month is the only notable absentee due to a knee injury sustained early in the match against Burkina Faso.

Hassan, who famously scored the goal that sent Egypt to the 1990 World Cup as a player, is bidding to join the select group of football figures to qualify for the tournament as both player and coach.

Salah, goalless in his last three Premier League matches for Liverpool, will be eager to rediscover his scoring touch.

Meanwhile, Trezeguet is expected to shoulder more attacking responsibility after a strong run of form with Al Ahly.

Both Salah and Trezeguet will be eyeing a second World Cup appearance, alongside El-Shennawy, having all featured at Russia 2018.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

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