Less than three years later, he and his twin brother Ibrahim had guided the Pharaohs to their best FIFA World Cup performance in decades, despite the head coach working for several months without a valid contract.
Hassan was appointed after President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi publicly expressed his preference for an Egyptian coach to lead the national team, a position widely viewed as influential in the Egyptian Football Association's (EFA) decision to replace Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria following Egypt's disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
The appointment also reflected growing criticism over the cost of hiring foreign coaches after a series of disappointing results, including Egypt's failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup under Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz.
Although foreign candidates, including Herve Renard and Sebastien Desabre, were linked with the role, the EFA opted for Hassan, who was then coaching Modern Future FC.
"Leading Egypt is a tremendous honour," Hassan said after his appointment, describing the job as "a dream come true" and pledging to restore the seven-time African champions to the top of the continent.
Coaching above contracts
Hassan also made clear that coaching Egypt was unlike any previous job. He revealed that he had refused to include a penalty clause in his contract with the EFA.
"I refused to be the second party in the contract with the Football Association because I can never be against Egypt in anything. Egypt comes first, and I am always at its service," he said.
Results followed quickly. Egypt defeated New Zealand before losing to Croatia in the final of the 2024 Egypt Capital Cup, then remained unbeaten for the rest of the year.
The team strengthened its position in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and comfortably secured qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Momentum continued into 2025 as Egypt recorded World Cup qualifying victories over Ethiopia and Sierra Leone before booking a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a 36-year absence from football's biggest stage.
A historic World Cup run
In North America, Hassan's side exceeded expectations. Egypt drew with Belgium, defeated New Zealand and held Iran to reach the knockout stage before eliminating Australia in a penalty shootout for the country's first FIFA World Cup knockout victory.
The Pharaohs' remarkable run ended in the last 16 with a 3-2 defeat by Argentina after surrendering a two-goal lead.
The achievement prompted the EFA to announce that the contracts of Hossam Hassan and his twin brother Ibrahim, the national team's director, would be extended, with Egyptian media reporting the new deal would run until 2030.
The announcement came only days after Hossam Hassan revealed that his contract had actually expired in February 2026 and that he had continued coaching the national team throughout the World Cup without signing a new agreement.
"I am committed to my position despite my contract expiring last February, thanks to the support of the fans," Hassan said during the tournament.
His remarks attracted widespread attention in Egypt, where many viewed them as further evidence of his commitment to the national team despite the contractual uncertainty.
A legendary playing career
Few figures are more closely associated with Egyptian football than the Hassan twins.
Hossam Hassan began his playing career at Ahly, breaking into the first team in the mid-1980s before helping Egypt qualify for the 1990 World Cup by scoring the decisive goal against Algeria.
He later played professionally for PAOK in Greece and Neuchatel Xamax in Switzerland before returning to Ahly, where he won seven consecutive Egyptian league titles.
In one of the most high-profile transfers in Egyptian football history, Hossam and Ibrahim moved together from Al Ahly to rivals Zamalek in 2000.
Hossam helped Zamalek win three league titles, the Egypt Cup and the 2002 CAF Champions League.
Hossam remains Egypt's all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 176 international appearances.
He won three Africa Cup of Nations titles, finished as the tournament's top scorer in 1998 and, in 2006, became the oldest player to score in the competition at the age of 39.
Building a legacy on the touchline
After retiring in 2007, Hassan moved into coaching, managing several Egyptian clubs, including Masry, Zamalek, Ismaily, Smouha and Pyramids, as well as Jordan's national team, before being appointed Egypt coach in 2024.
His success at the 2026 World Cup has added another chapter to a career that has already established him as one of the most decorated and influential figures in Egyptian football history.
For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: