World Cup 2026: Egypt coach Hossam Hassan backs Mohamed Salah to break his record

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has described leading the Pharaohs at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the fulfilment of a lifelong dream while expressing his hope that captain Mohamed Salah will surpass his international goalscoring record.

The Egyptian national team is preparing for a highly anticipated Group G clash against Belgium on Monday at Le Mine Stadium as they continue their World Cup campaign in a group that also features Iran and New Zealand.

Speaking to FIFA’s YouTube channel, Hassan reflected on a football journey that has shaped every stage of his life, from his early years as a player to his current role on the touchline.

“Football has been my life since my childhood until this moment when I speak. It was a great honour for me to wear the captain’s armband for the Egyptian national team for a long time before I retired from playing.”

The former striker revealed that coaching the national team had always been an ambition he carried throughout the closing stages of his playing career.

“Before my retirement, I always imagined myself as the coach of the Egyptian national team, and that was a big dream for me. The reason for that is that I don’t think about anything more than football, and reaching the World Cup, whether as a player or as a coach, is a very great thing.”

Hassan believes Egypt should command a stronger presence on the global football stage and hopes the current generation can build on the legacy of previous World Cup appearances.

“The Egyptian national team must get its rightful place in the world of football. We performed well in the 1990 World Cup, and I hope we will succeed in performing better during the 2026 World Cup.”

The Egypt boss also spoke proudly about his unique experience of representing his country at the World Cup both on the pitch and from the dugout. He was part of the squad that helped Egypt return to football’s biggest stage in 1990 and now has the opportunity to guide a new generation on the same journey.

“I am very happy to represent my country in the World Cup finals, whether as a player in the 1990 edition or now as a coach in the 2026 edition. We were part of a generation that made important history for Egyptian football, and we hoped to achieve a greater accomplishment in that tournament,” he said.

A significant portion of Hassan’s comments focused on Salah, whom he described as one of the world’s leading footballers and a key figure in Egypt’s ambitions at the tournament.

“Mohamed Salah has broken many world records, and he is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world. I hope he succeeds in scoring more goals than I have scored during my football career.”

Rather than focusing on personal milestones, Hassan stressed that the team’s success remains the ultimate objective.

“I think the most important thing is to focus on achieving victories, and for Salah to score more goals that help the team win, without being distracted by anything else. This would be great for the national team, and it would give me great happiness on a personal level as well,” he noted.

The veteran coach reiterated that winning matches and bringing joy to Egyptian supporters remains the priority for the Pharaohs throughout the competition.

“Winning and achieving positive results with Salah scoring goals is of great importance to me as the coach of the Egyptian national team. And most importantly, we must live up to the expectations of the Egyptian fans during the World Cup, because I know very well that football for Egyptians is not just a game, but a part of their daily lives,” the coach said.

Hassan also highlighted the importance of Salah’s experience and leadership within the squad, insisting that Egypt will rely heavily on their captain’s influence as they attempt to progress from a highly competitive group.

Concluding his remarks, the Egypt coach expressed confidence that the unwavering support of the nation’s fans can inspire the team to achieve something memorable at the tournament.

He emphasised that Egyptians have a deep passion for their national team and voiced his hope that the Pharaohs can deliver performances and results worthy of those expectations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.