World Cup 2026: Omar Marmoush urges Egypt to dream big as Pharaohs chase first win

Egypt forward Omar Marmoush has called on his side to embrace belief and ambition at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the team is ready to “dream to go as far as possible” on football’s biggest stage.

The North African giants, long regarded as one of Africa’s most decorated yet underperforming teams at the global tournament, are still searching for their first-ever World Cup victory.

That elusive milestone continues to shape the expectations and pressure surrounding the Pharaohs as they navigate another campaign.

“I think the World Cup is a football moment where you can dream to go as far as possible,” Marmoush said. “We always dream big. It’s great that we have so many MENA (Middle East and North African) teams at the tournament this year, but it’s not just about numbers.

“We want to go there and perform. Here we are playing on the biggest stage in world football, let’s show them what we’ve got.”

Marmoush’s comments reflect a growing sense of confidence within the Egyptian camp, where belief is steadily building around a new generation of players determined to change the nation’s World Cup narrative.

Now firmly established at both club and international level, the forward is expected to play a central role when Egypt face New Zealand in their second group fixture of the tournament. The match comes after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Belgium in their opening game.

That result gave Egypt an early foothold in the group, but the upcoming fixture is being viewed as a crucial opportunity to strengthen their position and push closer to the knockout stages.

Marmoush’s form and growing influence have made him a key figure in Egypt’s attacking plans, with coaches and fans alike hoping his pace and creativity can help unlock defences as the tournament progresses.

For Egypt, the task is clear: turn promise into history, and finally deliver a World Cup victory that has long eluded one of African football’s traditional powerhouses.