Helmi Toulan blames one decision maker for Egypt exit from the Arab Cup

Egypt coach Helmi Toulan expressed deep frustration after his team’s early elimination from the 2025 Arab Cup, pointing out that Jordan scored three times from three chances while Egypt created more than seven opportunities without finding the net in their final Group C match in Qatar.

Egypt went out with just two points from draws against Kuwait and the UAE, before a heavy 3-0 defeat to Jordan.​

In his press conference, Toulan said he is grateful only to federation president Hani Abu Rida and broadcaster Medhat Shalaby for supporting this team, adding: “This team was born an orphan.” He stressed that he is not making excuses and fully accepts responsibility, but insisted the squad received no backing, with some officials even describing the tournament as merely friendly matches, not an official competition.​

Toulan argued that Egyptian fans ultimately paid the price, as they had backed the side throughout. He claimed one unnamed official, who refused to pause the domestic league, is responsible for “insulting” the national team and sacrificing the reputation of Egyptian football.​

Toulan revealed he accepted the job in very difficult circumstances and without salary, purely to serve his country. He explained that Egypt began preparations with seven key players who were later lost “by design”, because the league is only stopped for Al Ahly, Zamalek and Al Masry, but not for African champions Pyramids, whose players he was denied.

He added that leagues in 15 participating nations were halted for the Arab Cup, but not in Egypt, where, as he put it, some considered the league “more important than the national team”. Toulan concluded that the responsibility to the Egyptian fans rests on his shoulders and that he does not shy away from it.