Hossam Hassan has effectively secured his position as head coach of Egypt through to next summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup after guiding the national team into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Pharaohs booked their place in the last four with a dramatic 3–2 victory over Ivory Coast, a result that not only kept Egypt’s continental title hopes alive but also strengthened Hassan’s standing amid previous uncertainty surrounding his tenure.
The semi-final qualification is understood to have triggered confidence within the Egyptian Football Association that Hassan remains the right man to lead the team into the World Cup.
Questions had lingered over Hassan’s future following earlier reports that his contract included a clause allowing the federation to terminate his appointment before the World Cup.
Egyptian coach Adel Abdelrahman had previously confirmed the existence of such a provision, raising speculation that Hassan’s role could be reassessed depending on Egypt’s performance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Instead, the former international striker has delivered when it mattered most, navigating Egypt through a demanding knockout phase and restoring belief within the squad.
The win over Ivory Coast, achieved through resilience and attacking intent, marked a defining moment in Hassan’s reign and significantly eased pressure on his position.
Egypt will now face defending champions Senegal on Wednesday with a place in the final at stake. Beyond the immediate challenge, Hassan’s focus will also be on building continuity and momentum ahead of the World Cup, with his AFCON run now serving as a strong endorsement of his leadership at the national level.
