The Journey to Reclaim Africa's Throne.. Egypt National Team Flies Today to Agadir on a Private Plane

The Egypt national team delegation will fly at 5 PM today to the city of Agadir in Morocco on a private plane, marking the start of their Africa Cup of Nations journey, scheduled from December 21 of this month until January 18, 2026. The delegation is headed by Hamada Sherbini, a board member of the Football Association.

Our national team is placed in Group B alongside Angola, Zimbabwe, and South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations groups.

The team will begin a new quest for the long-missing African title by facing Zimbabwe in the opening match on Monday, December 22.

The traveling squad includes 28 players selected by head coach Hossam Hassan, as follows: Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shenawy, Ahmed El-Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir, Mohamed Sobhi.

Defenders: Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Eid, Rami Rabia, Khaled Sobhi, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Ismail, Hossam Abdel Meguid, Mohamed Hamdy, Ahmed Fattouh.

Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Hamdi Fathi, Mohand Lashin, Mahmoud Saber, Mohamed Shehata, Imam Ashour, Ahmed Sayed "Zizo", Mahmoud Hassan "Trezeguet", Ibrahim Adel, Mostafa Fathi, Mohamed Salah.

Forwards: Mostafa Mohamed, Salah Mohsen, Osama Faisal, Omar Marmoush.

The Egypt national team, led by coach Hossam Hassan, concluded their preparations for the tournament yesterday with a strong friendly match against Nigeria, who are competing in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The team began an open training camp on December 3, followed by a closed camp starting December 7 in preparation for the tournament. They underwent an intense preparatory camp in recent days, including intensive physical and technical training. The coaching staff focused on raising readiness levels, correcting mistakes, and testing multiple alternatives in all positions in anticipation of any emergency during the tournament.

The preparations also included extended tactical sessions to explain playing strategies and study opponents, emphasizing the importance of commitment and discipline both on and off the field.

An atmosphere of optimism and enthusiasm dominates the team camp, with players committed to giving their utmost to win the championship and bring back the title that has been absent from the Pharaohs' trophy cabinet since 2010.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Hassan, the team manager, confirmed that the technical staff rested Mahmoud Trezeguet from training and the friendly against Nigeria due to dental treatment, adding that he will be ready for the opening match against Zimbabwe. He also mentioned that Ibrahim Adel suffered an ankle sprain with his club in the UAE league but will also be ready for the Zimbabwe match.

The Egypt national team holds many records in the tournament, most notably being the most crowned team with 7 titles. The Pharaohs lead by two titles over their closest rival Cameroon, who have won the cup 5 times, while Ghana ranks third with 4 titles.

Egypt's participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco marks their 27th appearance in the tournament's history. The Pharaohs have won the title 7 times, played 111 matches in the prestigious continental tournament, achieving 59 wins, 24 draws, and 27 losses. They have scored 175 goals and conceded 98.

The last victory Egypt achieved in the tournament was against Morocco in the 2021 edition, winning 2-1 in the quarterfinals, while their last loss was against Nigeria in the 2021 group stage, losing 1-0.

Hossam Hassan, the head coach, scored the 100th goal for the Pharaohs in the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations against Zambia, while the first goal for Egypt in the tournament was scored by Raafat Attia in the inaugural edition against Sudan.

The most recent goal scored by the Pharaohs in the continental tournament was by Mostafa Mohamed against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 16 of the 2023 edition, where Egypt lost on penalties.