In an exclusive interview published on FIFA’s official website, El-Shahat spoke passionately about the honour of representing Ahly in the tournament’s historic expanded edition and his belief in the team’s ability to rise to the challenge.
“No doubt, facing Inter Miami — led by Lionel Messi, the greatest player in the world, not to mention other stars — in the opening match is huge,” he told FIFA.
“But we at Ahly don’t know the word ‘impossible’. We always play to win — that’s our philosophy,” he expressed.
El-Shahat is the Club World Cup’s all-time appearance leader with 17 matches and one of only two players, alongside Karim Benzema, to score in four editions.
With Ahly set to take on Inter Miami, Palmeiras, and FC Porto in Group A, the veteran winger is relishing the opportunity to write a new chapter in the club’s global journey.
“I’m indescribably excited for this tournament. Being the first edition makes it special and historic. Being there among so many stars is extra motivation,” he said.
“I’m hoping for success for myself, my teammates and our club. We’ll play hard to leave our mark,” he continued.
El-Shahat, who extended his contract with the Cairo giants in June 2023, credited family and club loyalty for his enduring commitment.
“Go on, Hussein. Ahly is our home, and we would never abandon it, not for all the treasures in the world,” his mother told him at the time, in a message he says still resonates.
Reflecting on the match against Inter Miami, El-Shahat said it was no coincidence he foresaw the opening clash featuring Messi’s team.
“Everyone expected that Ahly would face Manchester City or Real Madrid or someone else. My prediction was that Ahly would open against Inter Miami. That didn’t come out of nowhere,” he explained.
“Given Ahly’s stature, large fan base, and strong record in this tournament, I felt that we would be part of this historic [opening] match,” he said.
The tournament will be held in the United States, and El-Shahat expressed his anticipation for the setting, especially the stadiums used as test grounds ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“I’m very happy and excited to participate in this tournament and to play in the stadiums where FIFA World Cup matches will be held in a year-plus. It's a monumental experience,” he said.
Ahly’s loyal fanbase, known for its passionate presence across continents, will also be key to the team’s momentum.
“I also know that Ahly fans are everywhere we go, whether that is in Africa or, as always, in the Gulf countries — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and so on. I’m fully confident that we’ll find the same support at our next stop in the United States,” he affirmed.
Looking ahead to the group stage, El-Shahat acknowledged the challenges posed by teams from different continents but welcomed the unpredictability.
“It’s quite a challenge, and it will be a massive event. For the players as well, each match will be a new and different experience,” he clarified.
Ahly’s opening clash with Inter Miami, especially Messi, is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament. For El-Shahat, it represents both a personal and professional milestone.
“I hope we can live up to expectations and come away with a victory. That would set a positive tone for the matches to come. It really is a huge event by any standard,” he concluded.
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