Hossam Hassan Emphasizes Challenge Ahead of New Zealand Match: ‘Every World Cup Game is a Final for Us’

Hossam Hassan, head coach of the Egyptian national team, stated that the upcoming match against New Zealand, scheduled for early Monday morning as part of the second round of Group G in the 2026 World Cup, marks a crucial turning point for the Pharaohs in the tournament.

During a press conference prior to the match, Hassan highlighted that the positive draw against Belgium provided a morale boost for the team. However, he stressed that the encounter with New Zealand carries special significance and emphasized the necessity of approaching it with maximum focus and seriousness.

The coach noted that the New Zealand team possesses significant capabilities and deserves full respect as one of the qualified teams for the World Cup. He affirmed that Egypt aims to secure a victory while acknowledging their opponent’s strength and ambitions.

Hassan added that the coaching staff recognized the difficulty of their group from the moment the draw was made. Consequently, they prepared the players both mentally and technically to treat each match as an independent tournament, readying them for various potential scenarios. He expressed hope for a positive outcome that would enhance Egypt’s chances of advancing in the competition.