By Bilal Ahmed
Egypt’s national football team received a heroes’ welcome upon their return to El Alamein International Airport on Friday, following their historic performance in the World Cup. Thousands of supporters gathered to greet the players and coaching staff, waving flags and singing patriotic songs. Banners proclaimed, “Egypt’s men made us proud,” celebrating the team’s best-ever World Cup campaign.
The team, known as the Pharaohs, made history by winning a match at the World Cup for the first time in four attempts and advancing to the last 16 of the tournament. Fans held pictures of captain Mohamed Salah, expressing gratitude with messages like “Thank you.” The celebrations continued as the squad paraded through New Alamein on an open-top bus, acknowledging cheering supporters lining the streets.
A Historic World Cup Run
The Pharaohs’ World Cup journey included notable victories, such as beating New Zealand in the group stage and securing a win against Australia on penalties in the round-of-32. This marked a significant achievement for Egyptian football, ending an eight-year absence from the tournament.
Despite a 3-2 defeat to Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the last 16, the team returned home with pride. Egypt had held a 2-0 lead in that match before conceding three goals in the final 11 minutes. Midfielder Marwan Attia expressed the team’s dedication, stating that they gave their utmost effort to bring joy to the supporters and elevate the name of Egyptian football. He added, “Congratulations to everyone, and God willing, the best is yet to come, we want to make the Egyptians happy.”
Attia highlighted the squad’s composition, noting a distinguished selection of experienced players. He also mentioned that the presence of some players in top global clubs contributed to the team’s strength and competitiveness. According to Attia, all team members were united, and a strong fighting spirit defined their journey, affirming, “We gave our all, and all the players are tough, they love Egypt and want to achieve something for this country.”
Leadership and Future Prospects
The team’s success is largely attributed to coach Hossam Hassan, who took charge in 2024. Under his leadership, the national side has been revitalized, leading Egypt to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals. His coaching record stands at 20 wins, nine draws, and six defeats.
Before the team’s return, the Egyptian Football Association renewed the contracts of Hossam Hassan and his twin brother, Ibrahim Hassan. While the federation did not disclose the specific length of the deal, local media reports indicate it could run until 2030.
Hossam Hassan, 59, Egypt’s all-time leading scorer, also garnered appreciation for his support of the Palestinian cause during the tournament. He carried a Palestinian flag on the pitch on several occasions and voiced support for Palestinian rights during press conferences. Supporters were seen carrying large posters of the coach draped in a Palestinian flag among the welcoming crowds.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is scheduled to receive the team, along with its technical and administrative staff, on Saturday.
The homecoming celebration underscores the profound impact of the team’s performance on the nation, with fans and officials alike acknowledging their historic achievements on the global stage. The renewed contracts for the coaching staff suggest a continued commitment to building on this success for future tournaments and maintaining the positive momentum generated by this World Cup campaign.
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Source: dawn.com
