Egypt's Football Board Backs Hassan Hassan and Unveils a Bold 2036 Talent Blueprint

Backing the Coach and AFCON Preparation

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA), chaired by Hani Abu Rida, held an extensive meeting to chart the course for the national teams, competitions, and the governance structure of the federation. The discussions culminated in decisive steps affecting the sport’s leadership, the development pipeline, and the day-to-day operations of the game across the country.

Renewed trust in Hossam Hassan

The board reaffirmed its full support for the first team and the second team participating in the upcoming Arab Cup, ensuring that the coaching staff and players receive the necessary technical and administrative backing. It was also announced that the national team camp would be staged at the national teams complex ahead of the tournament, which kicks off in early December.

The decision comes after a period of controversy sparked by Hassan Hassan’s recent comments about the squad. The board emphasized that the coach’s appointment remains valid and that a strong project for the team’s long-term development would continue under his guidance.

In comments following a Cap Verde friendly, Hassan Hassan stated that Egypt does not boast European-based players like some of its African peers; nonetheless, he highlighted two and a quarter pros—Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Omar Marmoush of Manchester City—while noting Mustafa Mohamed’s progress at Nantes and the ongoing evaluation of the rest of the squad.

A Bold 2026-2036 Talent Project and Reforms

The council presented a comprehensive plan to discover, nurture, and advance young Egyptian footballers from 2026 through 2036, aligned with the state’s vision to build a robust sporting base that supports the national teams up to World Cup 2034 and the 2036 Olympics. The plan envisions eight specialized technical centers across the republic to foster elite development from the youngest ages, with guaranteed funding to ensure ten years of implementation and sustainability.

The federation will forward the plan to the Minister of Youth and Sports for formal approval, reinforcing the collaboration between the EFA and the ministry to cultivate a new generation of players who can proudly represent Egyptian football on the world stage.

Reshaping leadership and communications

In another organizational move, the council announced a reshaping of federation committees after the upcoming general assembly, with a focus on competitions, disciplinary matters, refereeing, and media. It also accepted the resignation of Osama Ismail, the Director of Media, and pledged the creation of a new media committee to refine the federation’s communications and strengthen ties with press outlets and the public.

Ending the Egypt Cup and enforcing discipline

The discussion also covered the Memorandum from the Competitions Committee on concluding this season’s Egypt Cup, ensuring a smooth transition to the subsequent local transfer window and the club’s participation in global events. The council stressed adherence to the calendar to maintain stability across the new season.

Following reports of serious violations in youth and junior competitions, the EFA issued firm disciplinary decisions. Several individuals were sanctioned for severe misconduct, including the removal of certain officials and coaches from their posts, and the federation underscored that there would be no tolerance for actions that jeopardize player safety or the integrity of the game.

The measures included the expulsion of multiple individuals for offenses against match officials and players, highlighting the federation’s commitment to upholding sportsmanship at all levels and ensuring a safe environment for everyone involved in Egyptian football.

As the federation moves forward, committees are urged to report violations promptly to the main committee for timely action and to preserve the sport's credibility across all divisions.

In short, the EFA’s agenda blends immediate upgrades with a long-range blueprint designed to cement Egypt’s status in world football while cultivating a homegrown talent pool ready for future glory.

Punchline 1: If ambition were a formation, Egypt would be playing 4-3-3 with a dream front three and a defensive line that posts motivational quotes on the training ground wall.

Punchline 2: The plan is so bold, even the VAR would get a passport and move to Cairo to stay on top of the action.