Spokane, USA – Mohamed El Shenawy, captain and goalkeeper of the Egyptian national team, affirmed that participating in the 2026 World Cup represents an exceptional milestone in his football career. He emphasized that his ambition extends beyond simply appearing in the tournament; he aims to achieve a historic feat with the Pharaohs.
El Shenawy told FIFA’s official website that playing in the World Cup remains a dream for every player. He added, “I experienced this dream for the first time in the 2018 World Cup, and now I’m preparing to experience it for the second time. Representing Egypt in the world’s biggest football event is a great source of pride for me.”
The Al Ahly goalkeeper pointed out that the journey to qualify for this edition was smoother compared to previous ones. He also explained that the national team approached the qualifiers with great focus, and that the positive results at the beginning helped facilitate the task until securing qualification for the finals.
El Shenawy recalls memories of the 2018 World Cup
El Shenawy recalled his first participation in the 2018 World Cup. He confirmed that enthusiasm and anticipation gripped the players before the opening match, especially since Egypt was returning to the tournament after a long absence.
He added: “We were aware of the magnitude of the responsibility placed upon us, because we represent millions of Egyptians. I remember very well that many of the players were unable to sleep before the match due to their focus and enthusiasm. It was a historic moment for all of us”.
El Shenawy spoke about being crowned Man of the Match in his first appearance at the World Cup, saying: “I did not expect to receive the award, but it was the result of hard work and dedication. It was one of the most prominent moments in my career, and I hope that we will achieve better results in the current edition”.
The team captain confirmed that the Pharaohs’ goal is to qualify for the knockout stages. He also pointed out that experienced players, most notably Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, are eager to pass on their past experiences to the players who are participating in the World Cup for the first time.
He explained: “We are taking the tournament one step at a time. Our first goal is to get past the group stage, but if you ask me about my personal dream, I will say without hesitation: to win the World Cup. I know the task is very difficult, but football does not recognize the impossible”.
El Shenawy: We believe in our ability to achieve positive results in the tournament
Regarding the upcoming match against Belgium in Egypt’s opening game of the World Cup, El Shenawy said: “It will be a very tough and important match, but we are preparing for it with great confidence. We know the value of the opponent, but we believe in our ability to achieve a positive result that will give us a strong boost in the tournament”.
The Egyptian national team will begin its journey in the 2026 World Cup by facing Belgium in Group G, which also includes Iran and New Zealand.
