Egypt welcomes home World Cup heroes after historic campaign

Egypt’s national football team received a rousing homecoming on Friday after returning from their historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, with thousands of supporters gathering at El Alamein International Airport to celebrate the Pharaohs’ best-ever performance on football’s biggest stage.

Fans waved Egyptian flags and displayed banners reading “You made us proud” as captain Mohamed Salah and his teammates were greeted by jubilant crowds before travelling through New Alamein aboard an open-top bus. The squad was later scheduled to attend an official reception hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The celebrations came despite Egypt’s 3-2 Round of 16 defeat to defending champions Argentina, a match in which the Pharaohs surrendered a two-goal lead after appearing on course for a famous upset.

Egypt produced the finest FIFA World Cup campaign in the nation’s history, reaching the knockout stage for the first time and recording their maiden victories at the tournament. After progressing from the group stage, the Pharaohs defeated New Zealand and Australia to secure a place in the last 16, surpassing every previous Egyptian World Cup performance.

Although their tournament ended against Argentina, the team’s achievements marked a significant milestone for Egyptian football and prompted nationwide celebrations upon their return. Supporters lined the streets surrounding El Alamein International Airport hours before the team’s arrival, creating a festive atmosphere as players acknowledged fans from the team bus.

Mohamed Salah, making his first World Cup appearance since recovering from injury setbacks in previous tournaments, thanked supporters for their unwavering backing throughout the competition.

According to Reuters, Salah described the tournament as the beginning of a “fresh start” for Egyptian football and insisted that simply qualifying for future World Cups would no longer satisfy the team’s ambitions.

“This is a fresh start. We have shown what Egyptian football is capable of, and participation alone is no longer enough,” Salah said, according to Reuters.

Even before the squad landed in Egypt, the Egyptian Football Association confirmed contract extensions for head coach Hossam Hassan and assistant coach Ibrahim Hassan through 2030.

Hossam Hassan has overseen Egypt’s revival since taking charge in 2024, guiding the national team to its most successful World Cup campaign while restoring confidence after several disappointing years. The former Egyptian striker also drew attention during the tournament for publicly voicing support for the Palestinian cause during several media appearances.

Egypt’s World Cup success has raised expectations ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and qualification for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

With Salah continuing to lead an increasingly experienced squad and Hassan remaining in charge, the Egyptian Football Association believes the achievements in North America can become the foundation for sustained international success rather than a one-off breakthrough. The emotional reception reflected not only appreciation for the results achieved but also renewed belief that Egypt can compete consistently on the global stage.