Egypt’s national football team returned home on Friday after their historic World Cup campaign, with the Pharaohs meeting President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Saturday for an official reception.
The team reached the Fifa World Cup round of 16 for the first time, recording Egypt’s best-ever performance at the tournament before being eliminated by Argentina in a dramatic 3-2 defeat.
Mr El Sisi received the players along with the technical and administrative staff in Alamein. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Youth and Sports Gouhar Nabil, and President of the Egyptian Football Association Hany Abu Rida also attended the meeting.
Mr El Sisi awarded the players, along with the team's technical and administrative staff, the Order of Merit in recognition of their performance at the 2026 Fifa World Cup. He praised their determination, discipline, and achievements during the tournament before posing for a commemorative photograph with the squad and staff.
Mr El Sisi earlier described the players as “heroes” and said they had shown that belief, teamwork and determination could deliver major achievements. He also thanked the squad for their “honourable performance” and “unprecedented achievement” during the tournament, saying: “We are proud of you and your achievement, and, God willing, the future will be even better.”
Chants and flags
Thousands of fans gathered at Alamein International Airport on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast to welcome the players, waving flags, holding pictures of captain Mohamed Salah and chanting in celebration of their performance. The squad’s charter flight received a traditional water salute before the players travelled through New Alamein on a double-decker bus, where further celebrations were held.
Some supporters made an anti-racism gesture by crossing their arms over their faces, echoing a gesture made by head coach Hossam Hassan during the defeat by Argentina. The coach had said his team had been “cheated unfairly” and that external factors had affected the result. He praised his players’ performance, saying they had “honoured African and Arab football” during their historic World Cup campaign.
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Egypt's national football team ride on a bus as they are welcomed by fans at El Alamein International Airport on their return from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Reuters -
Star player Mohamed Salah ahead of an official reception hosted by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, in El Dabaa, Egypt. Reuters -
Fans welcome the Egyptian players. The team lost 3-2 to Argentina, having been 2-0 up with 10 minutes of the match remaining. Reuters -
Salah is mobbed ahead of Mr El Sisi's reception. Reuters -
In the previous knockout round, Egypt beat Australia in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Reuters -
Salah and Hossam Abdelmaguid enjoying the scenes in El Dabaa. Reuters -
The returning World Cup squad acknowledge fans after their return from Atlanta in the US after elimination by Argentina. EPA -
Egypt had gone through Group G unbeaten, with draws against Iran and Belgium, and a 3-1 win over New Zealand. Reuters
Captain Mohamed Salah praised his team-mates after the defeat, saying they had shown “the true spirit of Egypt” and that their campaign marked the beginning of future success. “I am proud of you. You fought until the very end and showed the true spirit of Egypt. This is not the end, but the beginning of something even greater,” he said, while thanking supporters for their backing throughout the tournament.
UAE billionaire Mohammed Khalaf Al Habtoor has offered the whole team cars, calling the gesture "an expression of our love and appreciation for Egypt's heroes". He said the team "honored their country, delighted their fans, and gave every Arab a lesson in determination, perseverance, and fighting spirit".
Eight Arab teams featured in the 2026 World Cup, the largest representation from the region in the tournament’s history. Morocco produced the strongest run, reaching the quarter-finals. As well as Egypt, Algeria also advanced from the group stage, while Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Tunisia, and Iraq were eliminated in the opening round.
