Egypt's national football team squad, coach, world rankings, AFCON, nickname

Egypt's national football team squad, coach, world rankings, AFCON, nickname

Helix Odhiambo
updated at August 9, 2023 at 9:30 AM

Egypt has a high profile and a fantastic record in football. A host of talented players have also emerged from the country to represent Egypt's national football team and popular clubs in the world. This article delves deep into the team's historical milestones since its foundation and achievements.

Egypt's national football team
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Egypt's national football team nickname, the Pharaos, means 'Great House', referring to ancient Egyptian rulers' palace. However, the name later referred to kings. Religious leaders considered the Pharaoh a divine intermediary between the gods and Egyptians. Here's all you need to know about the Pharaohs.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Egypt national football team
  • Nickname: The Pharaohs
  • Established: 1921
  • Managed by: Egyptian Football Association
  • Federation: CAF
  • Affiliated to FIFA: 1923
  • Coach: Carlos Queiroz
  • Captain: Mohamed Salah
  • FIFA ranking: 45
  • Stadiums: Borg El Arab Stadium, Cairo International Stadium

What is Egypt's favourite sport?

What is Egypt’s favourite sport?
Al Ahly fans cheer their team during their CAF Super Cup football match against Morocco's Raja Club Athletic (Raja Casablanca). Football has many followers in Egypt. Photo: Tnani Badreddine
Source: Getty Images

Egyptians have a strong culture in sports. Apart from football, they excel in boxing, swimming, basketball and volleyball. However, football remains the most followed and popular sport in the country. In addition, they boast of some of the most succesful clubs in Africa, including Al Ahly and El Zamalek.

The Pharaohs have participated in several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the World Cup and remain the most succesful team in Afcon.

Egypt's national football team Afcon campaign

The Pharaohs won the inaugural edition of the African Cup of Nations in 1957. They have won the competition a record seven times, more than any other country. (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, and 2010).

Egypt national football team trophies
The Pharaohs celebrate winning the 2010 Afcon title. They defeated Ghana in the final played in Luanda on 31 January 2010. Photo: Joe Klamar
Source: Getty Images

In 2010 they became the first country to win three consecutive Afcon titles. Alongside Nigeria, the North African country has the most appearance (15) in the competition's semi-finals. The Pharaohs have also finished as runners-up on five occasions.

Led by their captain and Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah, the team qualified for the 2021 Afcon tournament in Cameroon, where they will be looking to grab the eighth title.

Has Egypt won the World Cup?

The Pharaohs have not replicated their continental success to the World Cup. They have only qualified for the global showpiece three times. In 1934, they became the first African team to play in the tournament.

Egypt also made it to the 1990 and 2018 editions but has not won a game in the tournament. They finished bottom of their groups in all three campaigns.

FIFA Confederation Cups

Egypt has participated in two FIFA Confederation Cup tournaments but without success on both occasions. In 1999, they drew 2-2 with both Bolivia and Mexico before suffering a 5-1 defeat by Saudi Arabia. Their next appearance came in 2009 in South Africa, where they lost a 4-3 to Brazil before defeating Italy 1-0. Their last game ended with a disappointing 3-0 defeat by the United States of America.

Egypt squad 2021

Egypt national football team ranking
Egypt's Mohamed Abdel-Moneim (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Sudan during their Afcon 2021 Group D match at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde. Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard
Source: Getty Images

Egypt's national football team captain Mohamed Salah and Arsenal midfielder Mohamed El Neny are among Egypt's national football team players representing the country in Afcon 2021 in Cameroon. Here is a complete list of players in the squad tasked to bring home the title.

Goalkeepers

  • Mohamed El-Shennawy
  • Mohamed Sobhi
  • Mohamed Abogabal
  • Mahmoud Gad

Defenders

  • Ahmed Fatouh
  • Mahmoud Alaa
  • Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh
  • Ayman Ashraf,
  • Akram Tawfik
  • Omar Kamal
  • Mohamed Abdel-Moneim
  • Ahmed Hegazi

Midfielders

  • Hamdi Fathi
  • Amr El-Sulya
  • Emam Ashour
  • Ahmed Sayed Zizo
  • Abdallah El-Said
  • Ramadan Sobhi
  • Mohamed Elneny
  • Omar Marmoush
  • Mohanad Lasheen
  • Mahmoud Trezeguet

Forwards

  • Mostafa Mohamed
  • Mohamed Sherif
  • Mohamed Salah

Egypt national football team coach

In September 2021, the Egyptian Football Association appointed Carlos Queiroz as the national team's new manager. The experienced Portuguese international previously managed Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Colombia national teams.

Who is the best Egyptian player?

Egypt's national football team players 2021
The Pharaohs have produced exceptional players over the years. Photo: Empics Sport, Liewig Christian, Khaled Desouki, Issouf Sanogo (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The Pharaohs have produced some fantastic players throughout their history. Here are the top players to have played for the team.

Mohamed Aboutrika (striker)

The legendary striker made a significant impact on the national team. He scored 38 goals in 100 games for the team. Aboutrika, who played for a local club, Al Ahly, helped the Pharaohs win the 2006 and 2008 Afcon titles.

Mohamed Salah

Salah needs no introduction to football fans, although he is yet to test success with the national team. Nevertheless, the Liverpool striker is currently considered among the most talented footballers on earth. He is the second-highest scorer of the Pharaohs.

Ahmed Hassan

Hassan is the most capped player of the Pharaohs with 184 appearances. He won four Afcon titles (1998, 2006, 2008, 2010) and scored 33 goals in all competitions for Egypt. The former Egyptian captain played his final game with the national team in May 2012, aged 37.

Hossam Hassan

Hassan is Egypts top-scorer of all time with 68 goals from 176 matches. The legendary striker also played for Al Ahly and Zamalek. He debuted with the team on 10 September 1985, aged 19. Hassan won three Afcon trophies (1986, 1998, 2006).

Essam El Hadary

The legendary goalkeeper spent over 20 years with the national team. Essam El Hadary is Egypt's most-capped goalkeeper (159) and the oldest player to debut and plays at a World Cup.

Egypt's national football team world rankings

According to the latest FIFA ranking, the Pharaohs are placed 45th globally and 6th in Africa. Their highest-ever ranking was 9th in December 2010. Their lowest was 75th in March 2013.

Winning the 2022 Afcon and qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are the main objectives of Egypt's national football team. However, their hopes rest on the shoulders of captain Salah, who has the opportunity to win something with his national team.

READ ALSO: Sierra Leone national football team squad, coach, world ranking, AFCON and nickname

Sportsbrief.com also featured the Sierra Leone national football team, delving into their history, current squad and world ranking.

Do not miss out on exciting details about the country, their soccer team and much more!

Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.