Egyptian Football Association (EFA) introduced on Thursday the new national team head coach Carlos Queiroz, who stressed his pride leading the Pharaohs, promising to do his best to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

The EFA appointed the 63-year-old Portuguese tactician after previous coach Hossam El-Badry faced severe criticism over his poor display in the first two matches of the African qualifiers for the World Cup where he defeated Angola 1-0, and equalised with Gabon 1-1.

In the EFA press conference Queiroz expressed his happiness to be a part of the Egyptian football family.

“Allow me to consider myself as an Egyptian, and I will do my best with you to reach the World Cup," said Queiroz.

“Belonging to this organisation makes me very proud," Queiroz said, referring to the team's seven victories in the Africa Cup of Nations and three times qualifying for the World Cup, adding that it was "A history that makes us all proud of this team."

“Reaching the World Cup is a difficult target and we will seek to achieve it. There’s no time for much talk, but it is the time to work to take appropriate decisions and start the journey, with God's help and the assistance of my colleagues and the EFA," Queiroz added.

Queiroz will have to do more than just win to avoid El-Badry's fate – who didn’t lose any games during his two years with the Pharaohs – he will have to show a persuasive performance on the field and choose the most suitable players for the upcoming period.

“I will dedicate my life to the players in order to develop them and bring out the best of each one of them, to make the Egyptians happy,” he added.

The Portuguese tactician will lack the luxury of time to prepare and to get to know the players, as Egypt is scheduled for a crucial double header against Libya in the World Cup qualifiers on 6 and 10 October.

Then the Pharaohs will resume their World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and Angola in November, before playing in the Arab Cup in December, and then departing for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon scheduled for next January.

“A difference in history between us and Libya? I think we have to prove this on the field. This is the last time we will talk about fear of other teams. We will respect all teams, but we will play the same way against all teams and with one target which is winning,” Queiroz explained.

He concluded, "Those who wear the Egyptian national team shirt must know that they are not just wearing a shirt, but are wearing the dreams of a people who want to achieve them. In my opinion, when you wear the national team shirt, you must play with pride, confidence and enjoyment to make the fans happy."