“Egypt fears no one” – Hossam Hassan relishes Spain challenge after Saudi victory

Hossam Hassan has expressed strong confidence ahead of Egypt’s high-profile friendly against Spain national football team, describing the encounter as a crucial test in the Pharaohs’ preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Egypt national football team are set to face Spain on Tuesday evening at the home ground of RCD Espanyol, just days after delivering an emphatic 4–0 victory over the Saudi Arabian national football team in Jeddah.

Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Hassan highlighted the importance of facing elite opposition as part of Egypt’s build-up to the World Cup.

He said, “We are happy to be in a country that is one of the most important strongholds of the football we love, and facing a great team like Spain is a very important experience. We aim from this match to gain experience and adapt to the atmosphere of big matches, such as those we will play in the World Cup.”

Despite the short turnaround between matches and the demands of travel, the Egypt coach remains confident in his squad’s ability to deliver.

He stated, “We are facing Spain just three days after the Saudi Arabia match, and despite the tight schedule and the travel conditions that took about 6 hours, we have the ability to deliver a strong performance worthy of the name of the Egyptian national team.”

Reflecting on the recent win over Saudi Arabia, Hassan acknowledged the quality of the opposition and the value of the result.

He said, “We are well aware of the value of the Saudi national team, as it is one of the strongest teams at the Arab and Asian levels. The match was not easy, but we entered it with a clear plan and succeeded in implementing it, and we achieved great technical and moral gains from this victory.”

Turning his attention to Spain, he emphasised the scale of the challenge while maintaining a determined outlook.

“The Spanish national team is well-known to everyone, and it tops the world rankings. It is also one of the leading candidates to win the World Cup. We came to face them on their home ground to make the most of this strong experience.”

Hassan also underlined his philosophy of embracing difficult tests as a path to growth.

“My ambition is great, and my principle is always to compete against strong teams in order to develop. The Egyptian national team has a rich history, and it is the most decorated team in the Africa Cup of Nations.”

He further praised the quality within his squad, pointing to key players such as Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Mostafa Mohamed, and Mohamed Abdelmonem, alongside the recent addition of Haitham Hassan, who currently plays in Spain.

“I know that facing a team that is a strong contender to win the World Cup is a risk, but it is a positive risk, and I am happy about it. Since I was a player, I learned that the Egyptian national team does not fear any competitor,” he concluded.