Egypt President Sisi salutes players after historic World Cup campaign ends against Argentina

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has praised the national team following their dramatic exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing their campaign as an unprecedented achievement in Egyptian football history.

The Pharaohs were eliminated in the Round of 16 after suffering a 3-2 defeat to defending champions Argentina at the Atlanta Stadium on Tuesday, despite taking a two-goal lead in the match.

Egypt looked set for a famous victory against the world champions after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko put them ahead, but Argentina produced a late comeback to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Sisi praises Egypt’s historic World Cup achievement

Following the defeat, President Sisi sent a message of encouragement to the Egyptian players, praising their performance and the milestone they achieved at the tournament.

Writing on his official social media accounts, Sisi said: “Thank you to the heroes of the national football team for the honorable performance and for achieving an unprecedented accomplishment in the history of Egyptian football.”

He added: “We are proud of you and your achievement, and the future is better for you, God willing.”

Pharaohs create history at 2026 World Cup

Despite their elimination, Egypt’s performance at the tournament marked a significant moment for the country’s football history.

The Pharaohs reached the Round of 16 for the first time in their World Cup history after previously being eliminated during the group stage in their three earlier appearances.

Their run included a memorable challenge against Argentina, where they pushed the defending champions to the limit before eventually falling short after a dramatic comeback.

Although their World Cup journey has ended, Egypt leave the tournament having achieved a historic milestone and earned recognition for their performance on football’s biggest stage.