Hossam Hassan: We Analyzed Belgium Well, Aiming to Delight Fans in World Cup 2026

Hossam Hassan, the head coach of the Egypt national football team, emphasized that the primary goal for the Pharaohs in the 2026 World Cup is to advance beyond the group stage. He expressed confidence in his players’ ability to achieve a positive result against Belgium.

During a press conference discussing the upcoming match against Belgium, Hassan highlighted the significant technical and fan value of team captain Mohamed Salah, while also stressing that collective spirit is the team’s greatest weapon.

Salah’s Impact On and Off the Field

Hassan rejected reducing the strength of the Egyptian team to just one name, pointing out that harmony between experienced players and youth is essential.

“Mohamed Salah is an extremely important player with vast experience that makes him influential both on and off the field. Everyone recognizes his value. He faced challenges during the last Africa Cup of Nations but returned to shine with Liverpool and will be a strong presence in the World Cup,” said Hassan.

The coach added, “Despite Salah’s significance, all players hold equal importance and have my complete trust, from Trezeguet to young talents like Hamza Abdel Karim.”.

Aspirations for World Cup 2026

Hassan shared his ambition for a strong showing from Egypt in the World Cup, reiterating that their primary aim is to bring joy to Egyptian fans and elevate Egyptian football’s reputation.

“I strive to provide a good experience as a coach in this World Cup after having participated as a player. It is an honor for me to be part of the coaching staff and players in this tournament,” he stated.

He added, “We qualified for the World Cup after an impressive unbeaten run in qualifying. Our aspirations are high to deliver performances worthy of Egyptian football.”.

“We want fans to see a team playing good football and achieving positive results, similar to what happened in the 1990 World Cup. Our goal is to meet the expectations of the Egyptian people,” he continued.

Respect for Belgium and Confidence in Egyptian Players

Regarding the match against Belgium, Hassan stressed his full respect for their opponents while also expressing confidence in his players’ abilities.

“Belgium is a very strong team with top-level players like Doku, but we also have talented players capable of performing strongly,” he noted.

He added, “We have studied our opponent well; we understand their strengths and weaknesses, and we are confident in our ability to deliver a great match.”.

Adapting to Conditions and Role of Coaching Staff

Hassan addressed challenges associated with playing in the United States, confirming that his coaching staff is working on preparing players to adapt to tournament conditions and match schedules.

“We are trying to prepare our players to handle both conditions and match timings naturally, just like other teams do,” he said.

He praised his coaching staff’s role, especially Ibrahim Hassan, stating: “The entire coaching staff plays a significant role; Ibrahim Hassan is crucial due to his experience as a former player.”.

Hassan concluded by reiterating that Egypt’s goal is to advance past the group stage and progress further in the tournament. “We have three matches in the first round; our main objective is qualification for the next stage. We hope to present an image that reflects Egypt’s name positively at the World Cup,” he said.