Source: Alamy Stock Photo

Egypt Become the Third African Arab Nation to Qualify for the World Cup

Egypt joined Morocco and Tunisia in securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating hosts Djibouti 3-0 at the Arab Zawali Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, as part of match week 9 of Group A in the African qualifiers.

Morocco were the first to qualify after clinching top spot in Group E in match week 7, followed by Tunisia in match week 8, who sealed their place as winners of Group H.

Egypt’s qualification carried the signature of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, who scored twice in the 14th and 84th minutes after Ibrahim Adel had opened the scoring in the 8th. The “Pharaohs” thus strengthened their lead atop the group with 23 points, five clear of second-placed Burkina Faso, who defeated hosts Sierra Leone 1-0.

This marks Egypt’s fourth appearance at the World Cup, following the 1934 and 1990 editions in Italy and the 2018 tournament in Russia. Their coach, Hossam Hassan, successfully repeated his own achievement as a player in 1990, when he scored the goal that sent Egypt to the World Cup in Italy with a 1-0 victory over Algeria in Cairo in November 1989 — while his twin brother, Ibrahim, now the team’s director, was also part of that squad.

Egypt dominated proceedings from the outset and didn’t take long to break the deadlock, doing so in the eighth minute through Al Jazira (UAE) striker Ibrahim Adel, who headed home from close range after a cross from Al Ahly forward Ahmed Sayed “Zizo.”

Salah doubled the Pharaohs’ lead six minutes later when he latched onto a pass behind the defense from fellow Al Ahly forward Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet,” drove into the box one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and finished low into the bottom left corner (14’).

The Liverpool star then sealed Egypt’s victory with a stunning second goal — and his team’s third — volleying a lofted ball over the defense into the net with his left foot (84’).

Egypt will face Guinea-Bissau on Sunday in a dead rubber on the final matchday, which is expected to turn into a celebratory occasion at Cairo International Stadium following their qualification. The nine group winners will advance directly to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, while the four best runners-up will have a second chance through the playoffs.

Speaking to the media, coach Hossam Hassan said: “Many generations of Egyptian players should have made it to the World Cup — qualifying for only the fourth time is too little considering the talent that has passed through Egypt’s history. Without the support of the management, there would be no success,” he added, congratulating the Egyptian fans on the qualification.

For his part, Egyptian FA President Hany Abu Rida said the qualification came thanks to the support of the Egyptian fans, praising the technical staff and players who “proved their ability to raise Egypt’s flag high and reach the World Cup finals with confidence and pride.”

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