Egypt and Algeria Gear Up for the Arab Cup: Ministerial Talks and Two Cairo Warm-Ups

Egypt and Algeria Prepare for Arab Cup

Ashraf Sobhi, the Minister of Youth and Sports, held a meeting on Saturday with Hany Abu Rida, head of the Egyptian Football Association, at the federation's headquarters.

The gathering was attended by Mustafa Abu Zahra, a board member, Alaa Nabil, the federation's technical director, Mohsen Saleh and Hamdi Toulon, members of the federation's technical committee, to discuss and back plans to develop talents and staff across players, coaches, and referees.

Hany Abu Rida welcomed the attendees at the start, stressing the strong support the federation receives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports in recent times, noting the importance of joint collaboration and that the meeting forms part of technical discussions to upgrade the Egyptian football system.

For his part, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi thanked Hany Abu Rida and the federation’s board, emphasizing that football ranks high among the ministry’s priorities, and pointing to ongoing logistical and technical support to the federation, including collaboration on projects like the Community Centers League and the Schools League.

The meeting also covered technical development plans and the mechanisms for selecting national team staffs according to clear criteria.

Alaa Nabil also affirmed that serious work is underway on both technical and coaching fronts, under the federation's board, noting the proliferation of coaching licenses across various levels, in addition to talent scouting projects and academies—all of which are expected to bear fruit soon.

Hamdi Toulon, during the meeting, outlined the criteria and conditions set by the technical committee since its inception for selecting the technical staffs, alongside programs under preparation to develop football across the levels.

Egypt vs Algeria

Meanwhile, the Egyptian and Algerian federations have agreed to stage two friendly matches between the two countries as part of the Arab Cup participation, which kicks off in Doha on December 1.

The matches are slated for November 14 and 17 at Cairo’s Al-Salam Stadium, on the sidelines of the Egyptian national team’s training camp ahead of the Arab Cup.

The Egyptian national team’s coaching staff, led by Hamdi Toulan, also visited officials at Pyramids FC to coordinate ahead of the tournament.

Pyramids FC is also linked to a Doha clash on December 13, as part of the FIFA Club World Cup (Intercontinental), facing the winner of the South American vs North American final on December 10, with hopes to advance to face Paris Saint-Germain in the final on December 17.

The delegation included Hamdi Toulan, the national team coach for the Arab Cup; Ahmed Hassan, team manager; Ayman Hafez, administrative director; and attending were Mamdouh Eid, the CEO of Pyramids, Hani Saeed, sporting director, and Kronoslav Juric, Pyramids’ head coach.

Toulon stressed the national team’s support for Egyptian clubs in all continental and international competitions, praising the warm reception.

Pyramids officials conveyed understanding of the need for coordinated work that does not hinder the club’s or the national team’s progress in the Arab Cup.

Egypt’s national team will compete in Group C of the Arab Cup hosted by Qatar, alongside the UAE and Jordan, plus the winner of Kuwait vs Mauritania.

Egypt will begin its Arab Cup campaign on December 2 against the winner of Kuwait vs Mauritania, then face the UAE on December 6, followed by Jordan on December 9.

Since its formation under Hamdi Toulon, Egypt has played several friendlies, starting with two matches against Tunisia’s reserve side in Ismailia last September, with Egypt winning 3-0 and then 2-1.

Egypt has also played Morocco’s local team, losing 2-0, then beating Bahrain 4-0 to close the Pharaohs’ training camp in Morocco in October.

The first-team squad under coach Hassan (Hossam Hassan) declined to participate in the Arab Cup to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, scheduled from December 21 to January 18.

The Egyptian federation decided to assemble a second-string team led by Hamdi Toulon, a member of the federation’s technical committee, with Mamdouh Al-Hamady as general coach, Essam Hafez as goalkeeping coach, Ahmed Hassan as team manager, and Ayman Hafez as administrator.

Egypt participated in the previous Arab Cup edition under Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, finishing fourth after losing to Tunisia in the semi-finals and then to Qatar on penalties.

Punchline 1: If football plans were tickets, Egypt and Algeria just bought the entire box office.

Punchline 2: Do you know why referees never get bored? Each whistle is a new punchline, and apparently coffee counts as tactical fuel in Doha.