Egypt compete in Group Seven of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Record:
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AFCON winners in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, and 2010
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FIFA ranking: 29
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Last World Cup appearance: 2018
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Nickname: The Pharaohs
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Top clubs: Ahly, Zamalek, Ismaily
Qualification: After missing out on Qatar, Egypt secured their place at the 2026 World Cup with an unbeaten qualifying campaign, topping Group One with eight wins and two draws, conceding just two goals. Nine of their twenty goals were scored by Mohamed Salah.
Coach: Hossam Hassan holds the all-time Egypt goalscoring record with 69 international goals and has managed numerous domestic clubs including Al-Masry and Zamalek, where he also played. After a first stint with the Jordanian national team (2013–14), he took charge of Egypt in 2024, succeeding Portugal's Rui Vitória. Without dazzling, Egypt maintained their standing at AFCON 2025, reaching the semi-finals.
Star player: Mohamed Salah. At 33, the Pharaohs' captain remains one of the team's key assets alongside Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) in a solid but often cautious side. Salah is coming off a complicated season at Liverpool — which he will leave at the end of the campaign after nine years as a club legend — but his status within the national team is unchanged.
Ambitions: In their fourth World Cup appearance, Egypt can aim for a first win and a first advance beyond the group stage, competing with Iran and New Zealand for the second spot behind clear favourites Belgium. Egypt did reach the last 16 at the 1934 World Cup in Italy, though that edition used a straight knockout format with no group stage.