Hossam Hassan's fate with the Egyptian national team: Renewal of confidence or dismissal?
The president of the Egyptian Football Association, Hani Abu Rida, ended the widespread controversy that had recently gripped the Egyptian sports scene, deciding the fate of the technical staff of the Egyptian national team, led by Captain Hossam Hassan, after the end of the Pharaohs’ participation in the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco.
Details of Egypt's participation in Cannes 2025
The Egyptian national team concluded its run in the continental tournament in fourth place, following a 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the semi-finals, a match characterized by intense competition. In the third-place match, the Pharaohs lost the bronze medal to Nigeria 4-2 on penalties, after a goalless draw in regulation time, in a match played on Saturday.
Abu Rida confirms: There is no intention to change
In a decisive televised statement, Hani Abu Rida affirmed that there is no intention within the Egyptian Football Association's board to dismiss head coach Hossam Hassan or his coaching staff. Abu Rida emphasized that evaluations are not made piecemeal, and that reaching the semi-finals of a prestigious tournament like the Africa Cup of Nations is not a resounding failure warranting dismissal. He indicated that the coaching staff will continue in their roles during the upcoming period to ensure technical stability.
Full support for the twins and the World Cup project
The head of the Egyptian Football Association explained that he had contacted the Hassan twins, Hossam and Ibrahim, directly, assuring them of the association's full support and confidence. Abu Rida denied any crises or divisions within the national team camp, urging fans and the media to rally around the coaching staff and players.
This support comes within the framework of a comprehensive vision aimed at building a strong national team capable of competing in upcoming events, most notably the qualifiers and finals of the 2026 World Cup. The federation's management realizes that the frequent technical changes were a major reason for the fluctuation in performance in previous years, so maintaining the current structure while addressing the mistakes is the best option.
The importance of artistic stability for the pharaohs
Historically, the Egyptian national team achieved its greatest successes when technical stability was present, as was the case during the era of coach Hassan Shehata. Hossam Hassan, as one of the legends of Egyptian and African football, embodies the fighting spirit the team needs at this stage. Betting on "The Dean" (Hassan's nickname) is a gamble on restoring the team's winning mentality, especially as Egyptian fans eagerly anticipate a strong return to the global stage in the upcoming World Cup – the ultimate goal everyone is striving to achieve, setting aside the momentary emotions resulting from a single match loss or a continental championship defeat.
