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Egypt National Football Team – Squad, Coach & AFCON Record

Jack James Carter Thompson • 2026-03-08 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

The Egypt national football team, known as the Pharaohs, holds seven Africa Cup of Nations titles—the most of any nation in the tournament’s history. Founded in 1920 under the Egyptian Football Association, the team enters the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco with Mohamed Salah leading as captain.

Coach Hossam Hassan has selected a 28-man squad blending domestic experience from Al Ahly and Zamalek with overseas talents including Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush. The Pharaohs remain the standard-bearers of African international football, combining historic defensive organization with the attacking brilliance that has defined their most successful eras.

The current generation seeks to extend Egypt’s continental dominance while pursuing a fourth FIFA World Cup appearance. With Salah approaching his country’s all-time scoring records and a new technical regime in place, the 2025 campaign represents both continuity and evolution for African football’s most decorated national side.

Who is the coach and what is the current squad of the Egypt national football team?

Head Coach
Hossam Hassan

Captain
Mohamed Salah

Current Tournament
AFCON 2025

Squad Size
28 Players

  • Record Goalscorer: Mohamed Salah leads with 67 goals in 116 appearances
  • Technical Direction: Hossam Hassan emphasizes experience blended with emerging youth
  • Domestic Core: Heavy representation from Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Pyramids FC
  • Overseas Presence: Limited but impactful European contingent including Manchester City and Nantes
  • Goalkeeping: Mohamed El Shenawy provides veteran stability between the posts
  • Leadership: Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan serves as vice-captain
  • Tournament Status: Competing in Group B of AFCON Morocco 2025
Position Player Club
Goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy Al Ahly
Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir Al Ahly
Defender Mohamed Hany Al Ahly
Defender Yasser Ibrahim Al Ahly
Defender Ahmed Fatouh Zamalek
Midfielder Marwan Attia Al Ahly
Midfielder Emam Ashour Al Ahly
Midfielder Omar Marmoush Manchester City
Midfielder Mohamed Salah (C) Liverpool
Forward Mostafa Mohamed Nantes
Forward Osama Faisal Al Ahly Bank
Forward Salah Mohsen Al Masry

What is the history and achievements of the Egypt national football team?

Continental Supremacy

Egypt’s seven Africa Cup of Nations titles remain unmatched in the tournament’s history. The Pharaohs first conquered the continent in 1957, successfully defending the trophy in 1959. After securing a third crown in 1986 and fourth in 1998, the team entered a golden era between 2006 and 2010, winning three consecutive tournaments—a feat achieved by only one other nation in African football history.

Global Tournament Record

Beyond continental dominance, Egypt has qualified for three FIFA World Cup tournaments. The side made its debut in 1934 in Italy, returned after 56 years for the 1990 tournament, and most recently appeared in 2018 in Russia where the team advanced to the Round of 16. The Pharaohs are currently pursuing qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Unprecedented Success

Egypt remains the only African nation to win three consecutive AFCON titles in the modern era, completing this historic run between 2006 and 2010.

What are the recent results and next matches for the Egypt national football team?

AFCON 2025 Build-Up

Coach Hossam Hassan finalized the 28-man roster for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025, scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The selection prioritizes cohesion, drawing heavily from Egyptian Premier League champions Al Ahly and Zamalek while incorporating European-based talents capable of changing high-stakes matches.

Recent International Activity

The Pharaohs competed in international fixtures during November 2024, with squad selections reflecting continuity from previous campaigns. Historical squad data indicates consistent presence of core players like El Shenawy and Fathi across recent match calendars, suggesting stable tactical foundations despite coaching transitions.

Previous tournaments under former coaches including Carlos Queiroz featured emerging talents like Emam Ashour and Osama Faisal who remain in the current setup, demonstrating long-term development pathways within Egyptian football.

What are the basic facts about the Egypt national football team?

Identity and Governance

The Egyptian Football Association has governed the national team since its founding in 1920, maintaining affiliations with both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football. The “Pharaohs” nickname reflects ancient Egyptian heritage, while the team’s identity emphasizes defensive discipline combined with technical attacking play.

Home Ground

Cairo International Stadium serves as the primary home venue for the Pharaohs. The stadium provides an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams and has historically supported Egypt’s formidable home record in continental qualifiers.

Foundation Year

Established in 1920, the Egypt national team predates many African football federations, contributing to its historical influence over the sport’s development on the continent.

Tournament Dates

AFCON 2025 runs from December 21, 2025, through January 18, 2026. Specific kickoff times for Egypt’s Group B matches will be confirmed closer to the tournament dates.

How has the Egypt national football team developed over the decades?

  1. : Egyptian Football Association founded; national team established
  2. : First AFCON victory as tournament hosts
  3. : Successful title defense in United Arab Republic
  4. : Third championship won on home soil
  5. : Fourth title secured in Burkina Faso
  6. : Fifth crown claimed in Cairo
  7. : Sixth championship in Ghana
  8. : Historic third consecutive championship in Angola
  9. : World Cup appearance in Russia; reached Round of 16
  10. : Competing in AFCON Morocco 2025

What is confirmed versus uncertain about the team’s current status?

Established Facts

  • Seven confirmed AFCON titles (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010)
  • Hossam Hassan serves as current head coach
  • Mohamed Salah captains with 67 international goals from 116 caps
  • AFCON 2025 dates confirmed: December 21, 2025–January 18, 2026
  • 28-man squad finalized for Morocco tournament

Uncertain Details

  • Current FIFA ranking position subject to monthly updates
  • Specific 2026 World Cup qualification fixture dates pending confirmation
  • Injury status updates for individual squad members
  • Final starting XI for AFCON Group B opener

Why does the Egypt national football team matter in African football?

The Pharaohs occupy a unique position in African football hierarchy. Their record seven continental championships establish a benchmark of excellence that influences coaching methodologies across North Africa. The team’s historical success has relied upon defensive organization combined with individual attacking brilliance, a template that produced generations of professional players across European leagues.

Mohamed Salah’s emergence as a global superstar has elevated Egypt’s profile beyond traditional African football strongholds. His presence connects the national team’s historic achievements with contemporary Premier League audiences, creating cross-cultural interest in the Pharaohs’ campaigns while inspiring domestic youth development.

The 2025 squad represents a strategic balance between European experience and local league continuity. This approach reflects lessons from previous campaigns while adapting to modern football’s tactical evolution.

What do authoritative sources confirm about the team’s record?

Egypt name final 28-man squad for TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025; Salah leads Pharaohs’ charge. The announcement confirms Egypt’s commitment to blending veteran leadership with emerging talent for the tournament.

Confederation of African Football

Historical records confirm Mohamed Salah as Egypt’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing previous legends including Hossam Hassan.

World Football

What defines the Egypt national football team in 2025?

The Pharaohs represent African football’s most successful national program, entering the 2025 AFCON tournament with unprecedented continental pedigree. Under Hossam Hassan’s technical direction and Mohamed Salah’s captaincy, the seven-time champions balance historical expectations with the practical demands of tournament football. With a squad drawing strength from both domestic dominance and European club experience, Egypt remains the definitive standard for success in African international football.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the nickname of the Egypt national football team?

The team is known as the Pharaohs (الفراعنة in Arabic), referencing ancient Egypt’s monarchs and cultural heritage.

Has the Egypt national football team ever qualified for the FIFA World Cup?

Yes, Egypt has qualified three times: in 1934, 1990, and 2018. The 2018 appearance marked their first advancement to the Round of 16.

Where does the Egypt national football team play home games?

Cairo International Stadium serves as the primary home venue for the Pharaohs.

How many Africa Cup of Nations has Egypt won?

Egypt holds the record with seven AFCON titles (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010), the most of any nation.

Who is the current coach of the Egypt national football team?

Hossam Hassan currently serves as head coach, having replaced previous management to lead the AFCON 2025 campaign.

Who are the key players in the current Egypt squad?

Captain Mohamed Salah leads the attack alongside Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed, with Mohamed El Shenawy providing veteran goalkeeping.

When is the next major tournament for Egypt?

The Pharaohs compete in AFCON 2025 in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

What is the history of the Egypt national football team?

Founded in 1920, the team won its first AFCON in 1957 and has since established itself as Africa’s most successful national side with seven continental titles.

Jack James Carter Thompson

About the author

Jack James Carter Thompson

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.