Egypt seek to keep Hussein Abdel Latif for 2026 Under-17 World Cup

Egyptian football officials are trying to persuade Hussein Abdel Latif to remain in charge of the national youth team for the 2026 World Cup in Qatar, despite the coach having told the Egyptian Football Association he intends to leave for a role in Libya.

The Under-17 World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar from 19 November to 13 December 2026. The tournament was referred to as the Under-18 World Cup in the initial report, although the competition is officially listed as the Under-17 World Cup.

FilGoal.com previously reported that Abdel Latif had informed officials of his decision to depart and take up a coaching opportunity with Libya’s Under-17 team, made up of players born in 2010.

However, some Egyptian officials have since attempted to find an agreement that would allow him to remain in charge until the World Cup. Contact was made with Abdel Latif in recent hours as part of efforts to reach a deal for him to lead Egypt at the tournament.

A source from the Egyptian Football Association had previously told FilGoal.com: “Hussein Abdel Latif decided to leave his position as coach of Egypt’s 2009-born youth team, to move to coach Libya’s 2010-born youth team.”

The source also said Shawky Gharib, the association’s technical director, was searching for a replacement within days so preparations for the World Cup could begin.

Abdel Latif has overseen 11 matches as Egypt coach, recording five wins, three draws and three defeats.

Egypt secured their place at the World Cup after winning the bronze medal at the Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations in Morocco. Their performance in that tournament earned them qualification for the global finals.

Qatar will host five consecutive editions of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, with the competitions being staged annually from 2025 to 2029. Each edition will feature 48 national teams.

Egypt appeared in the previous tournament in 2025 under Ahmed El Kass. They progressed beyond the group stage before being eliminated by Switzerland in the round of 32.

The Egyptian Football Association must now decide whether Abdel Latif will continue through the World Cup campaign or whether Gharib will appoint a new coach as preparations intensify. The latest discussions indicate that officials are keen to retain the coach who guided the team to its continental bronze medal, but his proposed move to Libya remains the central issue in negotiations.