Cairo, Egypt – In a festive atmosphere in New Alamein City, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received the national football team players, along with their technical and administrative staff, today. This was in recognition of the impressive performance of the “Pharaohs” during their honorable participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Also present at the meeting were Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Gawhar Nabil, and President of the Egyptian Football Association Eng. Hani Abu Rida.
Medals of Merit and Recognition
During the reception ceremony, President El-Sisi presented the national team players and members of the technical and administrative staff with the “Merit Cup” and commemorative medals. This was in recognition of their heroic performance and high level of skill, which captivated the world. The President expressed his pride in this performance, emphasizing that the team succeeded in creating a wave of joy not only among the Egyptian people, but also throughout the Arab world and among Arab communities abroad, who followed the team’s journey with great pride.
Sport as a civilizational message
In his remarks during the meeting, President El-Sisi emphasized that sports transcend the concept of winning and losing. He explained that the true value of the national team’s performance lies in the respect shown by the international community for their dedicated and serious effort. El-Sisi added, “You have represented the youth of Egypt brilliantly, proving that fighting spirit and discipline are the cornerstones of success.” The President also noted that this achievement reflects the authenticity of the Egyptian people and their ability to compete on the international stage. He further stressed that Egypt possesses human resources and promising talents capable of following in the footsteps of the current generation.
Talent discovery strategy
In a forward-looking gesture, the President emphasized the need to adopt a national strategy for discovering young talent early on through impartial scouts searching for promising players in all governorates. He also expressed the state’s full readiness to provide the necessary support to the national coaching staff and young players, giving them the opportunities they deserve. The President-elect urged them to continue working hard and building on this success to ensure the sustainability of Egyptian football’s development.
Players’ gratitude and the new era
The meeting was characterized by a friendly atmosphere, with the President sharing lunch with the players and listening to their opinions and aspirations for the upcoming stage.
For their part, the national team players expressed their profound happiness at this presidential honor. They also affirmed that the President’s words were a badge of honor for them and pledged to exert their utmost effort in the upcoming competitions. The meeting concluded with the President emphasizing that the Egyptian people place great hopes on this team. He expressed his wishes for their continued success in raising Egypt’s name high in all international sporting arenas.
