“I cried for two hours” – Egypt star Mostafa Ziko reflects on heartbreaking World Cup exit to Argentina

Egypt international striker Mostafa Ziko has admitted that he is still struggling to overcome the emotional pain of the Pharaohs’ dramatic elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Several days after Egypt’s heartbreaking Round of 16 defeat to Argentina, the forward revealed that the loss remains difficult to process, describing the experience as one of the most painful moments of his football career.

Egypt appeared to be on the verge of securing a historic place in the World Cup quarter-finals after taking a commanding 2-0 lead against the South American giants. However, Argentina staged a remarkable comeback, scoring three late goals to complete a stunning turnaround and seal a 3-2 victory.

The defeat sent shockwaves throughout Egyptian football, with supporters left devastated after watching their team come within minutes of achieving a memorable World Cup milestone.

For Ziko, the disappointment has been particularly difficult to accept. The Egyptian forward admitted that the manner of the defeat made it even harder to move on, revealing the emotional impact the match had on him after the final whistle.

“I can’t seem to put this match behind me, and I feel I won’t be able to for a very long time,” Ziko said.

The striker explained that the immediate aftermath of the match was overwhelming, as he struggled to deal with the disappointment of seeing Egypt’s dream disappear in such dramatic fashion.

“After the match, I sat there crying for two hours. I couldn’t eat, I didn’t want to talk to anyone except my wife,” he added.

Ziko revealed that even conversations with his closest family members became difficult because of the emotional weight of the defeat.

“Every time my wife spoke to me, I couldn’t find the words to reply; I was unable to speak. And when I finally managed to answer her, I started crying whilst talking to her.”

The forward’s comments highlight the deep emotional connection players have with representing their countries at the World Cup, where every moment carries enormous pressure and significance.

Egypt’s campaign had raised hopes among fans after the team showed resilience and quality throughout the tournament. However, the late collapse against Argentina turned what looked like a historic victory into one of the country’s most painful football memories.

Despite the disappointment, Ziko’s reflections also underline the pride within the Egyptian camp after competing against one of the world’s strongest national teams. The experience is expected to serve as motivation for the players as they look ahead to future international challenges.

The Egyptian national team will now focus on rebuilding and using the lessons from the tournament to prepare for upcoming competitions, while players like Ziko continue to recover from the emotional impact of their World Cup exit.

For the striker, the defeat may take time to forget, but the experience will remain a defining moment in his career and a reminder of the fine margins that exist at the highest level of international football.