Cairo, Egypt – The Egyptian Football Association issued an official statement following the conclusion of Egypt’s participation in the 2026 World Cup. In the statement, the association affirmed its commitment to upholding the rights of the “Pharaohs” after the controversial refereeing decisions in the final match. It also expressed its gratitude to the Egyptian state and the fans for the support the national team received throughout the tournament.
In its statement, the federation affirmed its appreciation for the continued support provided by the Egyptian state, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, since the current board assumed responsibility for managing the federation. It also noted that state institutions have provided all forms of support and care to the national team, stemming from their belief in the role of sports in representing Egypt and raising its profile on the international stage.
The Federation also expressed its gratitude to Egyptian fans both at home and abroad, as well as to Arab and African fans, for their unwavering support of the national team throughout the tournament. It commended the technical, administrative, and medical staff, along with the players, for their performance and fighting spirit, which reflected positively on Egyptian football.
Regarding the refereeing decisions, the Egyptian Football Association expressed its dissatisfaction with the performance of the referee in the last match, led by the French referee, as well as with some decisions made using the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. It asserted that these decisions raised numerous questions, particularly in light of the criticism leveled by several media outlets and sports analysts.
The federation stressed its full commitment to the national team’s rights. It also affirmed that it would take all measures permitted by the regulations to ensure the preservation of the principles of fairness and integrity in the competition.
In closing, the federation emphasized that the national team’s exit from the tournament does not diminish the level of performance displayed by the players. It also noted that the team’s performance earned widespread respect. Furthermore, the federation stated that the participation represents an important milestone in the development plan for Egyptian football. The federation will continue its work in the coming period, in cooperation with state institutions, to broaden the base of players, discover talent, and prepare generations capable of competing in continental and international tournaments.
