Trouble in Cairo: Queiroz’s Ghost, Salary Storm, and Hosam Hassan’s AFCON Outburst
18 November 2025
Backdrop and flare
Egypt’s head coach Hosam Hassan unleashed a fiery outburst after the Pharaohs drew 1-1 and then won on penalties against Cape Verde in the Al Ain Cup in the UAE.
AFCON shadow and payroll storms
Despite the win on penalties, Hassan’s comments came after a prior 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan, signaling tensions as Egypt gears up for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.
Egypt will play in Group D with Zimbabwe, South Africa and Angola, opening against Zimbabwe on December 22.
Schedule and history
The Pharaohs then meet South Africa on December 26 and Angola on December 29.
Egypt has lifted the AFCON title seven times (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998) and won three consecutive titles under Hassan Shahat in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
The driving forces behind the outburst
One major element is the lingering “ghost” of Carlos Queiroz, with Hassan criticizing critics who downplayed Egypt’s World Cup qualification after the previous cycle.
Hassan asserted pride in the national team’s achievements, arguing that major nations did not reach the same milestone, and he pointed to Morocco and Nigeria as benchmarks in a heated press conference.
He remarked, in essence, that the national coach deserves respect and that Egypt should be proud of its personnel in comparison to other top clubs around the world.
He also challenged the idea of hiring foreign coaches who drain foreign currency, defending the domestic setup and his own experience with the national team.
Hassan then shifted to the salary dispute, revealing his monthly pay reportedly stands at around one million Egyptian pounds after tax, and he criticized higher salaries enjoyed by peers like Ali Maher and Ayman Al-Ramady while noting his own standing.
He cited Rogério Micale’s salary as an example of a disparity, arguing that the national team’s head coach’s remuneration should reflect the role and responsibilities involved.
The dialogue hinted at broader behind-the-scenes tensions, including debates about the World Cup qualification and how the AFCON campaign might influence the coaching setup.
A looming clash
Hassan warned that his tenure may hinge on strong AFCON results, and he signaled that the federation’s leadership could be involved in the ultimate decision about continued leadership and potential coaching changes.
There are strong rumors about whether the federation might consider reappointing Carlos Queiroz in the wake of AFCON, a move Hassan hinted at with caution and marked pride in leading the current squad.
In closing, Hassan reminded insiders that Egypt’s national squad is a national asset, and staying the course will require results that satisfy both the fans and the federation.
The coming battle
With the federation’s president, Hany Abou Rida, on record about what counts for staying in the job, Hassan made it clear that the next few weeks will be decisive for Egypt’s tactical direction and leadership.
In sum, the saga blends sport, salary disputes, and the politics of national-team leadership as AFCON looms on the horizon, with the world watching how Egyptian football navigates this delicate balance.
Final note: if salaries reach record highs, perhaps the real trophy will be the budget they managed to defend in the press room—because, apparently, the drama is priceless. Punchlines aside, may the football do the talking.
