A video shared on Khairat’s official Facebook page shows the acclaimed musician intently watching the match on his mobile phone while seated in a dressing room at the Cairo Opera House, moments before heading on stage for a sold-out concert.
Fully dressed for the performance, Khairat followed every move of the game with visible concentration, offering a rare glimpse of the maestro offstage.
The post, captioned “The world-renowned composer Omar Khairat follows the Egyptian national team match and shares moments of support with the audience,” quickly resonated with fans, blending national pride with a behind-the-scenes moment from one of Egypt’s most revered cultural figures.
Egypt booked their place in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after beating Benin 3-1 after extra time in their last-16 clash on Monday.
Khairat went on to perform later that evening on the Grand Stage of the Cairo Opera House, presenting a selection of his iconic works. He is scheduled to return to the stage again today.
Born in 1947, the multi-award-winning musician is among the best-known composers of his generation. Omar Khairat has composed music for more than 100 films and television series, with many of his melodies memorized by fans in Egypt and across the Arab world.
Among his best-known works are scores for films such as Laylat al-Qabd ‘Ala Fatimah (The Night of Fatima’s Arrest, 1984), Qadeyet Amm Ahmed (Amm Ahmed’s Case, 1985), E‘dam Mayet (Execution of a Dead Man, 1985), and Al-Bakheel w Ana (The Miser and I, 1990), among dozens of others.
Khairat frequently performs in concerts, presenting his music to live audiences on some of the most renowned stages in Egypt and the wider region. These performances are typically fully booked weeks in advance.
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