Mostafa Shobeir repeats his father's achievement in the Egyptian national team's World Cup squad
Young goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir a new and inspiring chapter in the history of Egyptian football after his official inclusion in the final squad for the 2026 World Cup. This selection was not merely a recognition of his outstanding performances with his club, Al Ahly, both domestically and continentally, but also a repetition of a unique historical achievement, as he follows in the footsteps of his father, the legendary goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir, who defended the Pharaohs' goal in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. With this achievement, the Shobeir family becomes the first in Egyptian history to have both father and son represent the national team in the World Cup as goalkeepers, a rare phenomenon that reflects the saying "like father, like son."
World Cup legacy returns after 36 years
Egyptian fans are transported back to the summer of 1990, when the Egyptian national team participated in the World Cup for the second time in its history after a long absence. Ahmed Shobeir was the reliable goalkeeper for the team, coached by the late Mahmoud El-Gohary, and delivered a heroic performance in the three matches the team played against the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland, and England. Although the Pharaohs failed to advance beyond the group stage, that participation remains etched in memory as one of the most prominent milestones in the history of Egyptian football. Today, 36 years later, Shobeir's name returns to adorn the goalkeeper's jersey for the national team at the world's biggest tournament, carrying with it the hopes and aspirations of a new generation.
Mostafa Shobeir: From promising young player to World Cup goalkeeper
Mostafa Shobeir's journey to becoming the national team's goalkeeper was far from easy. He rose through the ranks at Al Ahly's youth academy, working quietly and diligently for years, waiting for his chance to prove himself. When that opportunity arose, he seized it wholeheartedly, delivering consistent and impressive performances, particularly in the CAF Champions League, where he was one of the tournament's standout players, playing a key role in his team's title win. Shobeir Jr. displayed a strong personality and remarkable composure, along with exceptional skill in saving difficult shots – qualities that convinced the national team's coaching staff, led by Hossam Hassan, to include him in the World Cup squad. This confirmed that his selection was based on merit and not simply on being the son of a football legend.
A rare global phenomenon is occurring in Egyptian stadiums
The achievement of the Shobeir family places them among a very select group of families whose fathers and sons have both participated in the World Cup as goalkeepers. The most prominent example globally is the Danish duo of Peter Schmeichel, the legendary Euro 1992 champion, and his son Kasper Schmeichel, who guarded Denmark's goal in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Now, Egypt joins this exclusive list through Ahmed and Mostafa Shobeir, adding a global and historical dimension to this achievement and making it a source of pride not only for their family but for Egyptian and Arab football as a whole, which eagerly anticipates seeing the son continue his father's successful journey on the international stage.
