Ayman Ashraf: Egypt’s World Cup Draw Favors Team’s Qualification Chances

Ayman Ashraf, former player for the Egyptian national team, believes that the Pharaohs have gained significant benefits from their recent friendly match against Russia, both physically and technically. He emphasized that the upcoming encounter with Brazil will serve as the crucial test before the start of the 2026 World Cup.

During his appearance on the show “Ya Masaa Al-Anwar” with host Medhat Shalaby on MBC Masr 2, Ashraf explained that the match against Russia helped the coaching staff enhance players’ fitness levels and address various technical aspects during the game.

He noted that the true value of the current preparation period will be more evident during the match against Brazil, given the strength of their opponent and their world-class players, which provides the coaching staff with a more accurate opportunity to assess the team’s readiness.

Ashraf affirmed that the Brazil match will be a vital final rehearsal before the World Cup, predicting that the coaching staff will field their strongest lineup to achieve optimal team cohesion ahead of the tournament.

He stated, “The Brazil match will be our toughest test, and it’s natural for the coaching staff to rely on key players since it is our last experience before the World Cup.”.

In another context, Ashraf discussed the World Cup draw, confirming that Egypt’s match schedule within their group could benefit them, especially with Belgium as their first opponent.

He explained that a strong start could put pressure on the team but may also provide a better opportunity to handle subsequent matches in the group stage if they secure a positive result or can make up for it in later games.

Ashraf added, “I believe that the draw has favored Egypt because facing Belgium first gives our team a greater chance to organize itself for the remaining matches in our group.”.

He concluded his remarks by expressing confidence in Egypt’s ability to perform strongly during the World Cup, thanks to having a group of players capable of achieving positive results on such a global stage.