World Cup History
Egypt has appeared in 3 World Cups: 1934 (Italy), 1990 (Italy), and 2018 (Russia). In Italy 1934, Egypt became the first African team to participate in a World Cup, losing to Hungary in their only match. In Italy 1990, they failed to win any group matches. In Russia 2018, with Salah recovering from a Champions League final injury, Egypt was eliminated in the groups.
Egypt's historical debt with World Cups is enormous: 7 African titles but only 3 World Cup appearances and no victories in the first round. For 2026, with Salah in his prime (if his physical condition allows) and a generation of European-level players, the hope is that the Pharaohs can finally win a match at a World Cup.
Key Players
Mohamed Salah
Right Winger · Liverpool
The world's most famous African footballer and one of the best of his generation. Salah is a two-time Champions League winner, Premier League champion, and multiple Golden Boot winner. For Egypt, he is the player without whom the team is not the same: his presence or absence can be decisive for the outcome of any match.
Omar Marmoush
Winger / Forward · Manchester City
The new star of Egyptian football, Marmoush had a spectacular 2024-25 season with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, being one of the league's best players. His signing by Manchester City confirms his world-class level. He is the natural heir to Salah's leadership in the national team.
Mostafa Mohamed
Centre Forward · Nantes
Egypt's reference number nine is a forward with good technical ability and goal-scoring capacity. With experience in French Ligue 1, Mohamed has consolidated his place as the Pharaohs' starting striker through his consistency and ability to take chances.
Ahmed El-Shenawy
Goalkeeper · Al-Ahly
Egypt's first-choice goalkeeper is one of the most important figures at Al-Ahly, Africa's most successful club. With quick reflexes and great presence between the posts, El-Shenawy has been a reliable keeper for the Pharaohs in qualifying.
Mahmoud Trezeguet
Left Winger · Trabzonspor
Nicknamed 'Trezeguet' in honor of the French striker, the Egyptian is a dangerous winger with the ability to score important goals. He was Egypt's hero at AFCON 2019, where he scored the decisive goal in the final. His experience in the Premier League and the Turkish Superleague makes him a seasoned player.
Path to Qualification
Egypt qualified for the 2026 World Cup through the CAF qualification process. The presence of Salah and Marmoush as world-class attractions has facilitated team motivation during qualifying, where the Pharaohs have shown the individual quality needed to overcome African competition.
Qualification for 2026 is Egypt's fourth World Cup appearance and their first since Russia 2018. With the best generation of internationally-experienced players in their history and African football's greatest star in his prime, this is the best opportunity Egypt has had to write a new page at the World Cups.
Match Schedule
Egypt's matches at the 2026 World Cup will be confirmed by FIFA after the official draw. Check back soon for the complete schedule with dates, venues, and kick-off times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Africa Cups has Egypt won?
Egypt has won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 7 times (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010), more than any other African nation. This record of continental titles contrasts with their limited World Cup participation (only 3 times) and lack of victories in the tournament.
Who is Mohamed Salah?
Mohamed Salah is the most famous Egyptian and African footballer in contemporary history. With Liverpool he has won the Premier League, the Champions League, and the Club World Cup. He is a multiple Premier League Golden Boot winner and is considered by many to be the world's best player at his peak.
Was Egypt the first African team to play at a World Cup?
Yes, Egypt was the first African nation to participate in a World Cup. At Italy 1934, the Pharaohs played their only match of the tournament, losing to Hungary, but their mere presence at that World Cup marked a historic milestone for football on the African continent.
How did Egypt qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Egypt qualified for the 2026 World Cup through the CAF qualification process. With Salah and Marmoush as world-class figures, the Pharaohs secured their qualification for the tournament, returning to a World Cup for the first time since Russia 2018.