Egypt renews the architect of its historic World Cup

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced this Tuesday the renewal of the contract of coach Hossam Hassan, who will remain on the ‘Pharaohs’ bench along with his technical team until 2030.

“Following the EFA’s decision to renew the contracts of the national team’s coaching staff, a meeting was held today to formally extend the contract of coach Hossam Hassan until 2030,” the organization reported in a statement.

The president of the EFA, Hani Abu Reda, was in charge of renewing a contract that “reflects commitment” of the highest institution of Egyptian football “guarantee the stability of the national team’s coaching staff and allow them to continue their work in the future, in accordance with the established objectives and plans.”

In office from 2024

Hassan, 60, a former Egyptian football legend who played for the country’s two biggest clubs -Al Ahly and Zamalek-has been in charge of the national team since February 2024, when he replaced the Portuguese Rui Vitoria.

The coach has been strongly supported by the EFA and the country’s fans after getting Egypt to the round of 16 of a World Cup for the first time in its history, as happened this year in the championship held in North America.

The dream of the ‘pharaohs’ in their World Cup adventure was destroyed by Leo Messi’s Argentina, that came back from a match (3-2) plagued by referee controversy and after which Hassan accused FIFA of favoring the Albiceleste team.

Hassan is also the first Egyptian to participate in a World Cup both as a player, in 1990, and as a coach, in 2026.