Thousands of supporters lined the streets and gathered outside Alamein International Airport on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast on Friday to give the national football team a heroes’ welcome following the finest World Cup campaign in the country’s history.
Fans waved flags, sang patriotic songs and held banners reading “Egypt’s men made us proud” as the players and coaching staff returned from North America, where Egypt won at the World Cup for the first time in four attempts and reached the round of 16. Supporters also carried pictures of captain Mohamed Salah bearing the words “Thank you” as the squad boarded an open-top bus and paraded through New Alamein to cheering crowds lining the streets. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is due to receive the team and its technical and administrative staff on Saturday.
Among the most striking images from the homecoming were large posters of coach Hossam Hassan draped in a Palestinian flag, reflecting widespread appreciation for his vocal support of the Palestinian cause throughout the tournament. Egypt’s all-time leading scorer carried a Palestinian flag onto the pitch on several occasions and spoke in support of Palestinian rights during press conferences in North America.
The celebrations came despite the heartbreak of a 3-2 defeat by Argentina in the round of 16, a result that still stings given Egypt led 2-0 with minutes remaining before conceding three goals in the final 11 minutes to Lionel Messi’s side. The manner of the exit could not diminish what Egypt achieved overall, having recorded their first ever World Cup victory, against New Zealand in the group stage, and following it with a penalty shootout win over Australia in the round of 32 before pushing Argentina to the limit.
The Egyptian Football Association moved swiftly to build on the momentum, renewing the contracts of Hossam Hassan and his twin brother Ibrahim Hassan before the squad’s return, with local media reporting the deal will run until 2030. Hassan, 59, has transformed the national side since taking charge in 2024, compiling a record of 20 wins, nine draws and six defeats while leading Egypt to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and ending an eight-year absence from the World Cup finals.
