“Today, the picture is much clearer for us, and we can achieve something special at the upcoming World Cup,” the veteran Ahly goalkeeper said in an interview with FIFA’s official website published on Monday.
“Of course, we have to define our objectives and ambitions to reach the latter stages of the tournament. Right now, it’s essential that we qualify for the knockout rounds,” he stated.
Egypt reached the prestigious tournament finals after a successful qualifying campaign by dominating CAF Group A, finishing with 26 points (8 wins and 2 draws) out of a possible 30.
“It was an easier journey this time. We were extremely focused throughout the qualifiers. The qualification campaign was difficult, but we stayed focused as a team. The early wins gave us a big boost and made the road ahead easier in the matches that followed,” El Shenawy said about the qualification journey.
Second World Cup appearance
El Shenawy, 37, will be making his second-ever World Cup appearance with the Pharaohs, this time in North America, as he previously appeared in the 2018 Russia finals, where the Pharaohs were eliminated in the first round after defeats to Uruguay, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
“It’s a momentous occasion for any player. It’s a dream that every footballer strives to achieve. I achieved the dream in 2018, and now I’m preparing for a second go-round,” he explained.
“Playing in the World Cup is something I’m deeply passionate about. It’s a truly global event, and it’s a source of immense pride to represent my country there. It’s a dream I’ve always had.”
2018 good memory
Despite the loss to Uruguay in the 2018 finals, El Shenawy was named man of the match after his outstanding performance during the game; a memory that remains special for the experienced keeper.
“Of course, I remember it vividly. It was my first World Cup match. Egypt hadn’t been to the tournament in 28 years, so every player was completely focused. We couldn’t sleep the night before; then we were so focused and excited. Most of the players who were due to feature couldn’t sleep, and the match was scheduled for noon. It was a dream come true for all of us, and fans across Egypt were eagerly anticipating the match,” he said.
“We all understood that we were representing the entire Egyptian people, and it’s a source of pride to represent your country on that sort of stage. For us, it was the event of a lifetime.
“Thank God, we went in highly motivated and delivered a strong performance. And thank God, I was named Man of the Match. It was an extraordinary moment for me to win that award and to be recognised as the best goalkeeper in my very first World Cup match. I never expected to win it, but it was the reward for a long stretch of hard work by all of us. Thank God, we did a good job, and we ask God to grant us success in this World Cup as well.
2018 experience could be a boost
El Shenawy also said that failing to reach the World Cup finals for almost 28 years affected the team negatively in the last edition, but hopes this time will be different after the experiences gained at the Russia finals.
“Mohamed Salah, Trezeguet and I have played in the World Cup before, and we can pass that experience on to the rest of the squad and help them acclimatise to the tournament environment,” he explained.
Lifting World Cup dream
Egypt are preparing for their fourth World Cup appearance this time and have been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand.
Despite acknowledging how difficult the competition will be, the Ahly goalkeeper has high ambitions for the Egyptian team.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m dead-set on going all the way at the World Cup. It will certainly be difficult, but my own objective and ambition is to win the tournament,” El Shenawy stated.
“First and foremost, though – on a team level and for me personally, with this being my second World Cup – I’m fully aware of the quality of the teams who will be there. We are talking among ourselves and pursuing our ambitions step by step, starting with getting through the first round. So if you ask me what my dream is, I’ll say it’s to lift the World Cup,” he added.
New achievement
The Pharaohs wrapped up their World Cup preparations with a narrow 2-1 defeat by Brazil at the Adonai Escobedo Gonzalez Stadium in Mexico early on Sunday.
Also, the team defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 in a friendly earlier in March, and defeated Russia 1-0 in a friendly on 28 May in Cairo.
After those tests, El Shenawy hopes Egypt will achieve something new and different this edition.
“The squad are currently focusing on friendlies and preparing for the World Cup. We aspire to get to a point where we achieve something new – something that has never been achieved before,” he said. “As I said, the first step is getting through the first round, then we’ll approach the next stage one step at a time as well. For us, progressing that far in the tournament would be an enormous achievement.”
Belgium test
The Egyptian team already headed to Spokane in the United States later on Sunday to prepare for their opening match against Belgium on 15 June.
El Shenway says the opening game won’t be such an easy one, but sees full confidence as a key factor for securing a morale-boosting win.
“It will be a huge match for us. We’ve played Belgium before, but things are clearly different now, and the circumstances will be different too,” he said. “It’s definitely a huge match for us and a momentous occasion for the players who will be facing Belgium for the first time in that stadium. And of course, the fans will be there, cheering on both sides.”
“It’s a major match for us, and the most important thing is that we go into it full of confidence. God willing, we’ll be able to come away with the win,” he concluded.
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