Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has revealed that coaching the Pharaohs was a dream he had even before retiring from football, stressing that his bond with the game and the national team goes back many years.
His comments came before Egypt begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, with the Pharaohs preparing to face Belgium in their opening Group G match.
Hassan said football has always been the centre of his life, describing the Egypt job as a major responsibility and a chance to give back after a long history with the national shirt.
The former striker holds a special place in Egyptian football as the national team’s all-time top scorer and one of the stars of the 1990 World Cup qualification campaign, before returning to the tournament as head coach.
Egypt’s staff will hope to make the most of the experience of players such as Mohamed Salah, Trezeguet and Mohamed El Shenawy while aiming for a strong start in a difficult group.