Nigeria seeks to capitalize on AFCON heartbreak in World Cup bid

Egypt’s National Team to Focus on World Cup Preparation After AFCON 2025 Exit

Egypt, one of the top contenders for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, has been eliminated from the tournament after a semifinal loss to Senegal in Tangier. The team will now shift its focus to the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

Coach Hossam Hassan expressed his satisfaction with the experience gained during the AFCON tournament, stating that it provided valuable preparation for the World Cup. “We’ve tried various systems of play and faced different opponents throughout the tournament,” he said. “Although we came close to reaching the final, we acknowledge that football is unpredictable.”

Hassan attributed Egypt’s performance to a lack of players at top European clubs compared to the finalists, Morocco and Senegal. “Players based in Europe tend to gain better tactical acumen and physical strength, which can enhance our team’s overall quality,” he noted.

Egypt’s 28-man squad had only three players with experience at top European teams: captain Mohamed Salah from Liverpool, Omar Marmoush from Manchester City, and Mostafa Mohamed from Nantes. The team will play Nigeria for the bronze medal on Saturday in Morocco, which Hassan sees as an opportunity to continue preparations for the World Cup.

Egypt’s group stage schedule includes matches against Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran, starting with a match against Belgium in Seattle on June 15. The coach emphasized that Egypt always strives to win and will evaluate its performance after the competition to identify areas for improvement.

Source: Al Jazeera