2026 World Cup: Coach Hossam Hassan crafts new era of Egyptian soccer

It took a while for the pain to subside. Losing a FIFA Men’s World Cup berth in a penalty shootout isn’t easy to accept, especially since Egypt had the advantage in March 2022.

The Pharaohs ceded a goal to Senegal in the second leg of a qualifying series and couldn’t find an equalizer to advance on aggregate.

Instead, the match was decided in penalties with Egypt’s hero Mohamed Salah blasting his country’s opening attempt from the spot high over the crossbar. Senegal made its final three shots to seal the berth to the Qatar World Cup.

“It was difficult; we worked so hard and we lost,” Trézéguet reflected Sunday before training at the University of Washington. The winger was part of the Egyptian side that played in the 2018 Russia World Cup, losing in the group stage.

As Morocco shined for the African countries, Egypt went back to the drawing board. The proud nation has won seven African Cup of Nations titles and has players who are household names, but the Pharaohs haven’t shown any of it on the global stage. Their last AFCON win was in 2010.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan sought to change that when he took over the position in 2024. A heralded goal scorer who led his nation to its 1990 World Cup appearance, Hassan has worked to craft a new era of Egyptian soccer.

A blend of consistency, tenacity and talent was on display through Egypt’s qualifying rounds — bagging 19 goals in nine matches to win their group and advance to this year’s quadrennial tournament. Now they have the chance to reintroduce themselves to the world.

Egypt opens Group G against Belgium at noon Monday at Lumen Field, which has been rebranded as Seattle Stadium for the tournament. The Pharaohs haven’t advanced past the group stage in four World Cup appearances.

“It’s important, it’s about legacy that’s beyond the expectations and ambitions (of the World Cup),” Hassan said Sunday as translated from Arabic. “In 2027, you’ll see a new star-studded team. The whole world is waiting to see the face of Egypt as a respected team, with all of the players, with Salah as well. But we don’t want to rely on one single star. We want to rely on the group and work within that framework of a project.”

The process started with the roster. Performance couldn’t depend on Salah, who’ll turn 34 on Monday. And it couldn’t just be promising young players like forwards Omar Marmoush and Hamza Abdelkarim, who’ll likely make their World Cup debuts, the latter at 18 years old.

It’s, again, the blend Hassan wanted to find to buoy the stars and add a different look in their attack and defending.

“It’s not about age, it’s about experience,” Egypt defender Ramy Rabia said, as translated from Arabic. “How you preserve yourself, your athletic skills. The fact that we have so many experienced players, it’s an added value.”

Belgium is a formidable opponent for a World Cup opener. The Red Devils, also dotted with talent, are a burly, physical team ranked eighth by FIFA. Egypt is 29^th.

History leans toward the Pharaohs. Hassan was part of the national team that defeated Belgium 4-0 in an international friendly in 2005. Egypt is 3-1 against the Red Devils overall.

Monday’s match will set the tone for group stage. But even a poor result is salvageable considering the field of 48 will only be cut to 32 for the knockout rounds.

That’s the part of the tournament where stars are born or cemented. If Egypt can reach that level, Hassan hopes it inspires a nation of approximately 120 million. He said the competitive fire increased after watching Arab nations Morocco and Qatar draw in their group-stage openers Saturday. African rival Ivory Coast defeated Ecuador on Sunday.

“In this one, we have to do something to make the people remember us always,” Trézéguet said. “First of all, we have to believe we will do something and we will.”