Hossam Abdel Meguid: Egypt Focuses on Performance, Not Opponents in World Cup

Hossam Abdel Meguid, defender for Zamalek and the Egyptian national team, discussed the team’s aspirations under coach Hossam Hassan as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup.

Egypt will compete in the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time 48 teams will participate. The Pharaohs are placed in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran.

Under Hossam Hassan’s leadership, Egypt aims to make history by securing their first victory in a World Cup and advancing as far as possible in the tournament.

Abdel Meguid expressed that participating in the World Cup has been a childhood dream of his, inspired by his older brother’s stories about the tournament. He noted that he always wanted to play in the World Cup but never imagined that this dream would come true just three years after joining the senior team.

He added that fan pressure is not a negative aspect for the team; rather, it is their right to dream. He stated, “Fans have every right to see Egypt in the knockout stages and to hope that their country can win the championship. However, every team has its own circumstances, and we believe we can advance beyond the group stage.”.

Abdel Meguid further emphasized that there has been significant cohesion among players over the past two years. The focus is not on the names of opponents but rather on identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Their goal is to win every match, maintaining a mindset of resilience even if they do not secure a victory.

The Zamalek defender affirmed that their ambition is not merely to participate or represent well but to reach as far as possible in the tournament. He highlighted key players like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush as essential assets that enhance Egypt’s competitiveness.

He concluded by stating that coach Hossam Hassan consistently motivates players by encouraging them to achieve something great for Egypt, providing them with significant confidence ahead of any tournament.