Egyptian football legend Reza Abd El-Al has expressed his disappointment with the national team's performance in the 2026 World Cup, held in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. In a recent interview with Egyptian journalist Mohamed Farouk on the "Al-Breemo" program, Abd El-Al stated that the team failed to achieve any notable success during the tournament. He attributed this to the increased number of participating teams, which he believes has diluted the competition's overall quality.
Abd El-Al pointed out that the expanded format, featuring 48 teams instead of 32, has led to a decline in the tournament's technical level. He also noted that several teams participated in the World Cup for the first time, which affected the overall competitiveness. The Egyptian team faced a strong opponent in Argentina, but ultimately lost the match with a disheartening scoreline, conceding three goals within ten minutes.
The former Egyptian international also discussed the team's opening match against Belgium, describing the 1-1 draw as a deceiving result. He suggested that the timing of the match hindered the Belgian team's performance, but they eventually regained their form and advanced to later stages of the tournament. Egypt's win over Australia came via a penalty shootout, highlighting the team's struggles in the competition.
Abd El-Al expressed his surprise at the absence of a skilled playmaker in the national team's squad for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Angola and South Sudan. He specifically mentioned Nasser Maher, a Pyramids FC player who has been in excellent form this season, contributing significantly to his team's goals before the international break.
The 2026 World Cup marked a significant milestone for the Egyptian national team, but their performance failed to impress. Abd El-Al's comments reflect a broader sentiment among Egyptian football fans, who had high hopes for their team's campaign. The team's inability to advance beyond the group stage has raised concerns about their preparedness and strategy.
Reza Abd El-Al's criticism of the national team's performance has sparked a renewed debate about the state of Egyptian football. His comments have highlighted the need for improvement in various areas, including team strategy, player selection, and coaching. As the team prepares for future competitions, they will need to address these concerns to achieve success.
The Egyptian national team's struggles in the 2026 World Cup have led to a period of reflection and evaluation. With the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches approaching, the team will look to regroup and refocus their efforts. Abd El-Al's comments serve as a reminder of the high expectations surrounding the team and the need for improvement to achieve their goals.
Key points
- Reza Abd El-Al criticizes Egypt's 2026 World Cup performance, citing lack of achievement and subpar play.
