Egypt is in search of a fourth World Cup qualification after 1934, 1990 and 2018. And the Pharaohs are determined to do everything in their power to take part in the next edition in 2026, to be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Since the draw for the African zone of the next World Cup 2026, national coaches have been giving their opinions on the 9 different groups.Some of them have come up against some heavyweights. Others, on the other hand, are doing well. With Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Sierra Leone in Pool A, the Pharaohs are the favourites. Only Burkina Faso’s Etalons pose a real threat to the only ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
Regardless of the opponents they face, however, Egypt are determined to get the job done during the qualifiers, which kick off in November 2023.“The national team has already begun its preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers,” says coach Rui Vitoria.“I respect all the teams in the group,” declares the Portuguese tactician, playing it modest.
But Rui Vitoria is well aware that a place at the World Cup is earned by the sweat of the brow. That’s why, he says, “anyone who wants to qualify for the World Cup must play to win and collect maximum points”, points out the Lusophone. I fully understand the importance of qualifying for the World Cup, and I will strive with the rest of the coaching staff and players to make the dream of qualification come true”, reassures Rui Victoria.
With 9 groups of 6 teams, only the top teams will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup. The four best second-placed teams in each group will take part in a play-off to determine which team will qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs.
