In fiery statements reflecting a high level of confidence and fighting spirit, Egyptian international star Omar Marmoush, who plays for Manchester City in England, confirmed that his national team is determined not only to participate, but to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and go far in the 2026 World Cup.
Statements reflecting a winning mentality
Marmoush's comments came in an interview with his club's official website, where he said with a confident smile: "We will win the Africa Cup of Nations, of course, and then we will win the World Cup." He added, explaining the Pharaohs' new vision: "We want to present ourselves in a good light, and we can dream of winning the tournament, or reaching a certain stage. We won't be satisfied with just saying, 'We participated in the World Cup.' With the team we have, with the quality we possess, and as the Egyptian national team, we are the best team in Africa.".
Marmoush continued his talk about global ambition, saying: “Next summer, we will participate in the World Cup to get past the group stage, to show the world who we are, not just to be present.”.
Preparing for the Battle of Morocco
These statements come as the Egyptian national team, under the leadership of coach Hossam Hassan, prepares to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament scheduled to be held in Morocco. The tournament kicks off on December 21 and runs until January 18, amidst great anticipation from fans for the Pharaohs' return to continental glory.
The dream of the eighth star and restoring glory
This edition of the tournament holds immense importance for Egyptian football, as the Egyptian national team is the historical powerhouse of the African continent and the most decorated in the competition with seven titles. However, their last triumph dates back to their golden era in 2010 under the guidance of coach Hassan Shehata, when the Pharaohs achieved an unprecedented feat by winning the title three times consecutively (2006, 2008, 2010).
Since then, the Egyptian national team reached the final in the 2017 and 2021 editions, but was unable to secure the title, making the desire to win the “eighth star” a popular and national demand to compensate for the years of absence from the African throne.
Global influence and ambition that transcends borders
Marmoush's statements are not only significant on a local level, but also have a global impact on African football. Following Morocco's historic achievement in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, reaching the semi-finals, the ambitions of Arab and African national teams have soared. The current generation of the Egyptian national team, led by world-class players and a coach with a distinguished playing career like Hossam Hassan (the Dean), aims to prove that Egyptian players are capable of competing with the best on the international stage, shifting the perception from mere participation to genuine competition for world titles.
