Ibrahim Hassan reveals brother’s health ordeal as Egypt criticism intensifies

Ibrahim Hassan has launched a strong defence of his brother, Egypt manager Hossam Hassan, revealing that he suffered repeated heart attacks during national-team camps and matches and was once at serious risk of dying during surgery.

The Egypt team director made the disclosures in a series of posts on Facebook, as debate grows over the future of the coaching staff. Reports have suggested the Egyptian Football Association is considering removing Hossam Hassan despite his having led the Pharaohs to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

“Fear God in Egypt,” Ibrahim wrote. “Why do you want to destroy the happiness of good people and children who have returned to cherishing their national team shirt, badge and the colours of the Egyptian flag?”

He said Hossam had sacrificed his personal life to serve the national team, adding: “Who among us has no mistakes or difficulties in his life? Despite his own circumstances, he leaves everything behind for the national team. Why does this fierce campaign begin before every camp?”

Criticism of former team-mates and media

Ibrahim also criticised unnamed former colleagues and sections of the media for what he described as unjustified hostility and attempts to diminish the team’s achievements.

“Why all this hatred from former team-mates with whom we shared meals and carried the same emblem, the Egyptian flag?” he wrote. “Why do most media figures constantly attack us and belittle every success, no matter how small or significant?”

Addressing coaches who aspire to replace his brother, Ibrahim said the current team’s success could improve their own prospects.

“The success of Hossam and me will give you the chance to take his place later,” he said. “The decision-maker will trust our experience and give you an opportunity without fear, rather than turning to a foreign coach. If I fail, you will not get that chance.”

Ibrahim then described the extent of Hossam’s medical problems, saying he had suffered heart attacks on several occasions during camps, matches and qualifying games and had been saved by electric shocks “at the last moment”.

Hossam later had stents fitted before undergoing another operation a month afterwards. Ibrahim said he had been told the procedure would take only an hour, but a doctor subsequently revealed that Hossam had been unlikely to leave the operating theatre alive because the operation involved complex heart arteries.

Ibrahim also recalled a match against Brazil shortly after the operation, saying Hossam could barely walk or stand. He nevertheless insisted on standing on the touchline so the players and cameras would not realise how ill he was and become affected psychologically.

He said only Hossam, Dr Mohamed Abu al-Ela and the hospital’s medical staff knew the full details. “They will not bring us down or stop us, because Egypt deserves this sacrifice,” he added.

Egypt preparations

The Egyptian Football Association issued a statement on Saturday calling for calm and solidarity, and urging media and supporters to avoid escalation before the team’s upcoming commitments.

Egypt are due to face Malawi in the third and fourth rounds of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying this month. Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan will miss both matches while serving three-match suspensions imposed by FIFA after the Egypt-Argentina match at the 2026 World Cup.

Egypt lead Group B on four points, ahead of Angola on goal difference. Malawi have three points, while South Sudan have none. Egypt began with a goalless home draw against Angola before beating South Sudan 5-0 away.