Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy has predicted the North Africans will face a tough test when they come up against Belgium in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener on June 15th.
At Seattle Stadium, the Pharaohs will begin their Group G campaign. After qualifying three times previously (in 934, 1990, and 2018), Egypt will be making its fourth debut on the international scene.
They have the unique distinction of being the first Arab and African country to participate in the competition. They have never prevailed in the World Cup finals, despite their prowess on the continent.
“It’s a big game for us.”
El Shenawy told FIFA.com ahead of their first game: “It will be a huge match for us.” Although we had previously played Belgium, things are obviously different now, and the situation will also be different.
“It’s undoubtedly a big game for us and a historic occasion for the players who will be playing Belgium at that stadium for the first time. Naturally, there will be supporters on both sides.
“It’s a big game for us, and it’s crucial that we approach it with confidence. We’ll be able to win, God willing.
He stated, “We’ve lacked experience,” when asked why Egypt hasn’t won the World Cup despite having talented players. Since it was the team’s first time competing at that level and we hadn’t qualified for the World Cup in 28 years, it was understandable that we lacked experience.
However, since that tournament, we’ve played games against top international teams, which has given us a lot of experience.
“We can accomplish something exceptional at the forthcoming World Cup, and the picture is much clearer for us today. Naturally, in order to advance to the tournament’s later stages, we must specify our goals and aspirations. We have to make it to the knockout stages right now.
“Trezeguet, Mohamed Salah, and I have all participated in World Cups, and we can help the rest of the team adjust to the competitive atmosphere by sharing our prior experience.”
“We’re getting ready to play some really good teams at the World Cup. And since we’ll be at our best going into the tournament, it will work to our advantage.
Aiming for the World Cup title
He stated, “As far as I’m concerned, I’m dead-set on going all the way at the World Cup,” regarding Egypt’s potential in the 2026 competition. It will undoubtedly be challenging, but winning the event is my goal and aspiration.First and foremost, though, I am well aware of the caliber of the teams that will compete, both on a team level and personally, as this is my second World Cup.
“We are discussing among ourselves and working toward our goals gradually, beginning with passing the first round. I would therefore say that lifting the World Cup is my dream.
“The squad is currently focusing on friendlies and preparing for the World Cup,” El Shenawy went on. Our goal is to reach a point where we accomplish something novel and unprecedented.
As previously stated, completing the first round is the initial step, after which we’ll go on to the next phase one step at a time. It would be a huge accomplishment for us to advance that far in the competition.
El Shenawy established himself as one of the Pharaohs’ major stars after putting on a goalkeeping clinic against Uruguay at Russia 2018.
“Of course, I remember it vividly,” he remarked, recalling the performance in Russia. I had never played in a World Cup before. Every player was totally motivated because Egypt hadn’t attended the competition in 28 years.
The previous night, we were so enthusiastic and concentrated that we were unable to sleep. The match was set for noon, and the majority of the guys who were supposed to feature couldn’t sleep. For all of us, it was a dream come true, and supporters from all around Egypt were looking forward to the game.
“It’s a source of pride to represent your country on that kind of stage, and we all understood that we were representing the entire Egyptian people.”
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us. Thank God, we performed well and went in with a lot of motivation. And I was named Man of the Match, thank God.
“Winning that title and being named the best goalie in my very first World Cup game was an incredible experience for me. I never thought I would win, but it was the culmination of all of our hard work over a long period of time. Thank God, we performed well, and we want God to help us win this World Cup as well.
Along with Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet, who were also members of the team eight years prior, the Al Ahly skipper is now expected to join an exclusive group as one of only three Egyptian players to appear in two World Cups.
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