Egypt will be making a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1990 after they topped Group E in the 2018 qualifiers.
Led by coach Hector Cuper, the Pharaohs finally put a strong qualification campaign together to finish ahead of Uganda, Ghana and Congo - and they even sealed their place in Russia with a game to spare.
Ousting Ghana was particularly sweet for the North Africans, having suffered an embarrassing 7-3 aggregate loss to the Black Stars in the final round playoffs for the last World Cup in 2014.
Egypt’s undoubted star player is Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who scored five goals in their qualification campaign, but they also have an experienced ‘spine’ which includes veteran 44-year-old goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, the versatile Ahmed Fathi, defender Ahmed Hegazy and midfield anchor Mohamed Elneny.
Add in ‘maverick’ talents like Ramadhan Sobi, Mahmoud Shikabala and Mahmoud Kahraba and it is clear that the Pharaohs will pose a potent threat in next year’s finals.
Egypt have long been regarded as Africa’s foremost football country, and with good reason: they were the first team from the continent to appear at a World Cup (debuting way back in 1934), the Pharaohs boast a record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles, and the country’s two top teams - Al Ahly and Zamalek - have won no less than 13 CAF Champions League titles between them.
Yet, despite their strong reputation on the continent, Egypt have no real pedigree at the World Cup. After their maiden showing in 1934 they had to wait until 1990 to appear at the global tournament again, and next year’s finals will mark only their third World Cup overall.
Mohamed Salah of Egypt challenged by Kamohelo Mokotjo of South Africa during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Abdallah El Said of Egypt challenged by Thamsanqa Mkhize of South Africa during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt challenged by Sifiso Hlanti of South Africa during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt players warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Last 16 football match between Egypt and South Africa at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Egypt fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Last 16 football match between Egypt and South Africa at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Match Officials warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Last 16 football match between Egypt and South Africa at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Egypt players arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt players arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt players arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
General view inside the Egypt dressing room before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view inside the Egypt dressing room before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view inside the Egypt dressing room before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view inside the Egypt dressing room before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
General view inside the Egypt dressing room before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Egypt and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Javier Aguirre, head coach of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Egypt press conference at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Javier Aguirre, head coach of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Egypt press conference at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Egypt press conference at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Egypt press conference at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Egypt press conference at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 05 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt wins Total Man of the Match Award during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt tackled by Allan Kyambadde of Uganda during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Godfrey Walusimbi of Uganda challenged by Ayman Ashram of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt celebrates goal with teammates during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Allan Kyambadde of Uganda challenged by Trezeguet of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Michael Azira of Uganda challenged by Trezeguet of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Nabil Emad of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Abdallah El Said of Egypt challenged by Emmanuel Okwi of Uganda during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Abdu Lumala of Uganda challenged by Ahmed Hegazi of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Emmanuel Okwi of Uganda challenged by Nabil Emad of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Allan Kyambadde of Uganda challenged by Ahmed Hegazi of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Trezeguet of Egypt challenged by Timothy Dennis Awany of Uganda during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Abdu Lumala of Uganda challenged by Ahmed Hegazi of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Abdallah El Said of Egypt challenged by Michael Azira of Uganda during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Emmanuel Okwi of Uganda challenged by .Ahmed Hegazi of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mohamed Salah and Ali Ghazal of Egypt going to warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Total signage 3D boards during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mohamed El Shenawy of Egypt going to warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Uganda changeroom general view during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Javier Aguirre, head coach of Egypt arrives during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt changeroom general view during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt changeroom general view during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Sebastien Desabre, head coach of Uganda arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Uganda fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Uganda players arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt players arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt arrives during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt players arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Uganda changeroom general view during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Uganda and Egypt at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 30 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt players warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals training session for Egypt at the Military Academy Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Egypt players start their warm up before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals training session for Egypt at the Military Academy Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Egypt players warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals training session for Egypt at the Military Academy Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Egypt players before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals training session for Egypt at the Military Academy Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Mohamed Salah of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals training session for Egypt at the Military Academy Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Mohamed Salah of Egypt chats to coaching staff during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals training session for Egypt at the Military Academy Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt and Javier Aguirre, coach of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Egypt press conference at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Javier Aguirre, coach of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Egypt press conference at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Egypt press conference at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Egypt press conference at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Javier Aguirre, coach of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Egypt press conference at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Trezeguet of Egypt won Total Man of the match during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Egypt and Dr Congo at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Trezeguet of Egypt won Total Man of the match during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Egypt and Dr Congo at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mohamed Salah of Egypt shoots and scores during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mohamed Salah of Egypt celebrates goal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mohamed Salah of Egypt celebrates goal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mohamed Salah of Egypt (second from left) celebrates goal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Jacques Maghoma of DR Congo challenged by Mahmoud Alaa of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Egypt and Dr Congo at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Tresor Mputu of DR Congo challenged by Mohamed Salah of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Egypt and Dr Congo at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mohamed El Shenawy of Egypt challenged by Jonathan Bolingi of DR Congo during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Egypt and Dr Congo at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Cedric Bakambu of DR Congo challenged by Ayman Ashram of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Egypt and Dr Congo at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Jacques Maghoma of DR Congo challenged by Mohamed Salah of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Egypt and Dr Congo at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Abdallah El Said of Egypt challenged by Wilfred Moke of DR Congo during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Egypt and Dr Congo at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt Team Picture during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt celebrates goal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Match officials warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Ayman Ashraf of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Ahmed Hegazi of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Egypt player group in huddle during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mohamed Salah of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mohamed Salah of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Egypt and DR Congo at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Egypt fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Egypt and Dr Congo at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Egypt and Dr Congo at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt fans holding Mohamed Salah of Egypt post during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Egypt and Dr Congo at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt fan during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Egypt and Dr Congo at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 26 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady (l) and Trezeguet (r) during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals training session for Egypt at the Military Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 25 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady (c) leads team in warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals training session for Egypt at the Military Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 25 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Trezeguet during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals training session for Egypt at the Military Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 25 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals training session for Egypt at the Military Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 25 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mohamed Salah during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals training session for Egypt at the Military Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 25 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Eqypt press conference at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 25 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Javier Aguirre, coach of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Eqypt press conference at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 25 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Egypt
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