World Cup 2026: Egypt coach Hossam Hassan eyes strong showing on global stage

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has described the Pharaohs’ participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a significant milestone for Egyptian football, insisting that the national team possesses the history, quality and ambition to compete among the world’s elite.

Speaking to Abu Dhabi Sports Channel, Hassan expressed his delight at guiding Egypt to the tournament and stressed that the country fully deserves its place on football’s biggest stage.

“Thank God for our presence at the World Cup. The Egyptian national team deserves to be in this tournament and to compete at the highest level,” Hassan said.

The former Egypt international also reflected on his personal connection to the World Cup, having represented the country as a player at the 1990 tournament in Italy.

“I am happy that I was part of the Egyptian national team at the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Being here now as head coach of the national team is a great honour for me. I hope the players succeed in making the Egyptian fans happy, as well as all Arab supporters,” he added.

Hassan emphasised that while ambitions are important, success can only be achieved through hard work, discipline and proper preparation.

“It is easy to talk about ambitions, but the most important thing is to work and take all the necessary steps to achieve our goals. We are focused on preparing the team properly and continuously working to improve the players and help them reach the level we aspire to,” he stated.

The coach also highlighted the balance within his squad, pointing to the blend of experienced campaigners, emerging talents and established stars who are eager to make their mark at the tournament.

“Our squad includes a mixture of experienced players, young talents and big stars. All of them have a genuine desire to achieve something special. We study our opponents carefully, understand our strengths and capabilities, and are doing everything possible to make the Egyptian people happy,” Hassan said.

Egypt’s technical team has placed strong emphasis on tactical preparation ahead of the tournament, with Hassan revealing that detailed analysis of opponents remains a key part of their strategy.

“As in previous competitions, whether in the Africa Cup of Nations, the qualifiers or major matches against teams such as Brazil, Spain and Russia, our focus has always been on creating harmony among the players and maintaining a high level of concentration,” he explained.

The 59-year-old further revealed that technical meetings and training-ground sessions have been used extensively to prepare the players for the challenges ahead.

“We make sure to study our opponents through technical lectures and work on the pitch to implement our tactical and organizational plans in the best possible way,” he said.

Hassan also praised the atmosphere within the camp, describing a united squad fully committed to achieving success for the nation.

“There is calmness and harmony within the team. The players treat each other with respect and affection, and everyone has come here with one goal: to bring joy to the hearts of Egyptian fans,” he concluded.

With the World Cup now fast approaching, Egypt will be hoping that the unity, preparation and determination highlighted by Hassan can help the Pharaohs enjoy a memorable campaign and make their supporters proud on the global stage.