Egypt's Monumental Qualifier: Salah Leads Cairo Celebration Toward World Cup 2026
12 October 2025
Egypt clinches 2026 World Cup qualification in Cairo
Omar Marmoush, the English-based forward highlighted in the report, attended Egypt's final group match against Guinea-Bissau in Cairo, part of the celebrations for reaching the 2026 World Cup finals. The Pharaohs sealed their qualification following the previous round's win over Djibouti with a 3-0 victory. Egypt scored twice through Mohamed Salah, with an additional goal from Ibrahim Adel in the Djibouti match played midweek at the Al Arabi Al Zahawi stadium in Morocco.
Egypt secured their place in the World Cup finals for the fourth time in their history after previously appearing in 1934, 1990, and 2018.
Marmoush will miss the October camp due to an injury sustained in the Burkina Faso match in the prior round.
There was a family presence in the stands for Mohamed Salah, who sat in the VIP box after being rested by the national team coach. Salah sat beside his wife Magi Saad in Cairo Stadium, a scene not often seen for the Liverpool star in Egypt matches.
Festive atmosphere
The night featured a festive atmosphere as fans displayed a large banner with a pharaonic design, pyramids, and the World Cup trophy. The crowd cheered the coaching staff and players after qualification and saluted Salah.
The match also saw Mohamed Sobhi start as Egypt’s goalkeeper for the first time under coach Hossam Hassan, while Mohamed Hamdi scored his first international goal in the 10th minute of the match.
Jamal Allam & Torup appearance
Former Egyptian FA president Jamal Allam attended the main box after an invitation from the current board led by Hany Abou Rida. He was joined by former board member Maj. Gen. Mohamed Helmy Mashhour and Dr. Dina Al Rifai, while Danish coach Jis Torup watched the game alongside Walid Salahuddin and Adil Mustafa, the coaching staff.
Egypt’s national team, under the guidance of Hossam Hassan, sealed qualification for the 2026 World Cup, topping their CAF group a round before the end and returning to the world stage for the first time since 2018 in Russia. The campaign featured standout performances from stars such as Salah, Marmoush, Mustafa Mohamed, and Mohammed El Shenawy, who helped stabilize the side across positions.
Hossam Hassan said the achievement is a team effort from players, the staff, the federation, and the fans and noted that the next goal is thorough preparation for the World Cup to honor the name and history of Egyptian football.
Hany Abou Rida, president of the Egyptian FA, congratulated the fans and described the qualification as a key step in developing the national team and restoring Egypt’s standing among Africa’s and the world’s elite.
The Egyptian FA also received an official congratulatory letter from FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressing happiness at the Pharaohs’ return to the world’s biggest football stage.
The plan includes a friendly tournament in the UAE in November with Iran, Uzbekistan, and Cape Verde, serving as a lead-in to the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco from late December to mid-January. Abou Rida also confirmed that Hassan will remain in his role and lead the team at the World Cup.
Punchlines
Punchline 1: If football had a tomb, Egypt just opened it with a marching band of goals. Punchline 2: The pyramids aren’t the only things getting taller—Egypt’s World Cup dream is scaling new heights too.
