Pharaohs Return to Global Stage

The Egyptian national football team, known as the Pharaohs, has officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Their qualification was sealed with a commanding 3-0 win over Djibouti on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, in a match played in Casablanca, Morocco.

Star forward Mohamed Salah was instrumental in the victory, scoring two goals. Ibrahim Adel netted the opening goal in the eighth minute, followed by Salah's first in the 14th minute. Salah then sealed the win with his second goal in the 84th minute.

Historical Context and Qualification Journey

This qualification marks Egypt's fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup, having previously participated in 1934, 1990, and 2018. The Pharaohs missed out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.

Under the guidance of coach Hossam Hassan, Egypt has had a near-flawless qualifying campaign, leading Group A with an unassailable 23 points from nine matches, with one game remaining. They are five points clear of second-placed Burkina Faso.

Mohamed Salah has been a prolific scorer throughout the qualifiers, netting nine goals in total, making him the leading scorer in Group A. His contributions have been crucial, with reports indicating he has been involved in 10 goals (7 goals, 3 assists) in the current qualifiers, surpassing Trezeguet's six contributions.

Laws, Policy, and Governance

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature an expanded format with 48 teams, offering more qualification spots for African nations. Africa has been allotted nine direct spots in the final round.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

Mohamed Salah, at 33 years old, is making what is likely his final opportunity to play on football's biggest stage. His performance in the qualifiers has been widely celebrated, with many hoping he can lead Egypt beyond the group stage for the first time in their history.

Evidence and Data

• Match Result: Egypt 3-0 Djibouti (Wednesday, October 8, 2025)
• Goal Scorers: Mohamed Salah (2), Ibrahim Adel (1)
• Egypt's Group A Standing: 23 points from 9 matches (7 wins, 2 draws)
• Salah's Qualifying Goals: 9 goals
• Previous World Cup Appearances: 1934, 1990, 2018

Risks and Implications

Despite their consistent qualification, Egypt has never won a World Cup match nor advanced beyond the group stage in their previous three appearances. The expanded format of the 2026 World Cup presents a new opportunity for the team to break this historical trend.

Timeline and Next Steps

Egypt's qualification comes with one match remaining in their group stage campaign. The team will now focus on preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in June and July 2026.

What to Watch

All eyes will be on coach Hossam Hassan to see how he blends the experienced players like Salah and Trezeguet with emerging talents such as Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed. The team's ability to translate their dominant qualifying form onto the global stage will be a key factor in their performance.

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Other African nations, Morocco and Tunisia, have also secured their places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Several other African teams, including Algeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Senegal, have strong chances of qualifying.