World Cup 2026: Egypt coach Hossam Hassan promises ‘special’ campaign ahead of opener

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has expressed strong optimism ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that his side are ready to finally make a meaningful impact on football’s biggest stage.

The Pharaohs enter the tournament carrying both pride and pressure, with a rich continental history but a long-standing struggle to translate that success into consistent World Cup performances.

Speaking ahead of Egypt’s opening matches, Hassan highlighted the nation’s dominant record in African football, while acknowledging their past shortcomings at the global level.

“The world knows we have won Africa 7 times, but at the World Cup, we haven’t made a positive impact due to past circumstances,” he said.

Egypt remain the most successful nation in Africa Cup of Nations history, a record that underlines their status as one of the continent’s traditional powerhouses. However, that dominance has not yet been replicated on the world stage, something Hassan is determined to change.

Despite historical struggles, Hassan believes the current squad represents a new chapter for Egyptian football, one built on talent, maturity and ambition.

“This time, we have a highly promising team,” he added.

The Egypt coach has consistently pointed to the blend of experienced leaders and emerging stars within the squad as a key reason for optimism heading into the tournament.

Led by key figures such as Mohamed Salah, the Pharaohs are hoping their attacking quality and growing tactical discipline can finally translate into success at World Cup level.

Egypt’s World Cup journey has often been marked by frustration, with limited appearances and early exits preventing the team from establishing a strong global reputation.

Hassan, however, insists that this edition presents a genuine opportunity to change that narrative and deliver a breakthrough performance.

“By God’s will, I am confident we will deliver a truly special World Cup,” he said.

His comments reflect a wider sense of belief within the Egyptian camp, where expectations are rising that this squad could finally end decades of underachievement on the global stage.

As the tournament approaches, Egypt will carry the hopes of millions of supporters eager to see their team compete more consistently against the world’s elite.

While challenges remain significant, Hassan’s message is clear: Egypt are not attending the World Cup to make up numbers.

Instead, they arrive with ambition, confidence and the belief that this generation can achieve something truly historic.