Egypt’s all-time leading goal scorer Hossam Hassan is primed to go where no African has gone before. He is currently guiding the national team on their bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hassan is determined to become the first female head coach in history. He hopes to be the first person ever to coach Egypt to the World Cup, 27 years after making history as a player in 1990. His leadership on the field has lifted Egypt to an incredible 20-0-0 mark in Group A. With only two matches left in the qualifiers, the team has a five-point cushion against second-place Burkina Faso.
Egypt’s national team players celebrate after advancing to the final, with a vital scoreless tie over Burkina Faso in the semi-final. The new result advances them one step closer to playing in the expanded 48-team tournament that will be hosted in North America next year. After the game, Hassan shared his pride for his young players and their effort against one of the most storied programs in the country.
“It’s a great day for the Egyptian people… I would like to thank every player for their efforts against a tough team that has players in the Premier League, Bundesliga and Ligue 1,” – Hossam Hassan
Egypt’s Qualifying Journey
Ever since Hossam Hassan took charge, Egypt have been perfect, winning all five of their qualifying matches. It wasn’t just that draw against Burkina Faso that affirmed their astonishing resolve. Trezeguet was dangerous from the start, even forcing Burkina Faso’s Herve Koffi into a save from the opening chance. But Egypt struggled as they quickly lost midfielder Omar Marmoush to injury early in the match.
Egypt’s example shows remarkable resolve, despite lost major chances. Mostafa Mohamed almost equalized twice in the dying minutes of the match, showcasing their determination to the very end. The team generated multiple opportunities and continued to stay optimistic throughout the game.
“Despite playing in Burkina Faso, we played positively and created big chances. At the same time, we maintained balance. We could have scored one or two goals before the end,” – Hossam Hassan
With two games to go during qualifiers, the future looks bright for the Pharaohs. Safeguarding the future Next steps will be critical, and Hassan knows there’s a weight of ambition on their shoulders.
South Africa’s Performance
In another amazing storyline to emerge out of the qualifiers, South Africa has been turning heads. They managed a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in Group C. Calvin Bassey scored for Nigeria just before halftime, leveling the match and complicating South Africa’s quest for automatic qualification. A first-place finish assures them a spot at the World Cup, making each subsequent game critical.
Both sides are strongly lobbying for eligibility. At the same time, Hassan is hell-bent on realizing his dream to coach Egypt to international glory. In this capacity, he has the opportunity to realize a long-time dream. Today, he views it as an opportunity to put his dreams in motion and make the supporters of Egyptian football proud.
“My goal was to coach the Egyptian national team. I have always dreamed of that. I want to fulfil the fans’ dream and live up to their trust.” – Hossam Hassan
Looking Ahead
The road to the coveted world cup is a hard one. Hossam Hassan’s resume as a player, and now as a manager, provides him with an advantageous perspective in this important, and perhaps decisive, moment in Egyptian football history. Fans rally behind Egypt as they make their historic run. As the country stands poised to make an unprecedented win with a strong base laid down by collaboration and strategy.
