Egypt are the most successful side on the continent having won the Africa Cup of Nations on six occasions, including the last two events.
They claimed the inaugural title in Sudan in 1957, on home soil in 1959 and 1986, Burkina Faso in 1998, Egypt in 2006 and the last final in Ghana in 2008.
Surprisingly perhaps, given their dominance at club level on the continent too, their record in qualifying for World Cup finals has been poor.
They were the first African side to play at the global showpiece when they were invited to the 1934 tournament in Italy, but their only showing since has been, ironically, back in Italy in 1990.
They are a formidable unit under coach Hassan Shehata, who has been in the job since 2004, though this will be a final shot at the World Cup finals for a number of their top stars, who are reaching the end of their illustrious careers.
The likes of Essam El-Hadary, Wael Gomaa, Ahmed Hassan and Mohamed Barakat are well into their 30s, and will almost certainly not be in contention from Brazil 2014.
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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