For many Egyptian football enthusiasts, the joy of Mohamed Salah leading Egypt to World Cup qualifications in 2018 and 2026 is overshadowed by the heartache of missed opportunities during the “golden generation” from 2006 to 2014. The nostalgia for that era remains strong, as fans grapple with the belief that their team was destined for greatness yet fell short due to unfortunate circumstances.
Reflecting on the Golden Generation
The golden generation of Egyptian football is often discussed with a mix of reverence and sorrow. As Ahmed Elshiekh, a former national team player now covering football for Modern MTI TV, emphasizes, this era achieved remarkable feats yet failed to showcase their talent on football’s biggest stage. They famously defeated Italy, the reigning World Cup champions, but were consistently thwarted in qualification, leaving many fans to wonder what might have been.
Salah has emerged as the captain and driving force of today’s Egyptian squad. His illustrious nine-year tenure with Liverpool has seen him claim numerous titles, earning the distinction of the highest-scoring foreign player in the English Premier League’s history. Despite this individual success, many fans hold him accountable for Egypt’s struggles, particularly the AFCON drought that has lasted since 2010. His pivotal role in the 2018 World Cup, where Egypt was eliminated after three matches, is often dismissed, with supporters lamenting that even a half-injured Salah couldn’t salvage their campaign.
Tormented by Recent Failures
The disappointment deepened with a loss to Senegal in the 2021 AFCON final; this defeat was followed by another penalty shootout loss to the same team in a World Cup playoff just months later. Salah’s experiences in these moments were particularly painful—designated to take the decisive penalty but never given the chance in the first shootout, he ultimately missed when he went first in the second.
Memories of past triumphs, particularly from the 2006, 2008, and 2010 AFCON championships, are a bittersweet balm for fans. Those victories were driven by the legendary Mohamed Aboutrika, revered for both his skill on the field and his poignant political statements. However, as Egypt’s performances faltered, many fans began to lose faith in the national team. The 2023 AFCON was marred by Salah’s injury, and the early exit after a penalty shootout in the round of 16 left supporters disheartened once more.
Hossam Hassan’s Surprising Appointment
In the midst of this turmoil, the Egyptian Football Association appointed Hossam Hassan as manager after dismissing Rui Vitoria. While some viewed his hiring skeptically—given his tumultuous past as a coach—others recognized his wealth of experience as a former player who once held the national scoring record. His appointment turned into a masterstroke as he successfully bridged the generational gap within the squad.
Salah and Hassan formed a strong partnership, with the latter understanding the immense pressure faced by the star player. Under Hassan’s leadership, Egypt qualified for the 2026 World Cup undefeated, winning eight out of ten matches and reaching the semifinals of the 2025 AFCON. While not solely reliant on Salah, this squad boasts emerging talents like Al Ahly’s Emam Ashour, who are eager to carve their own legacy.
As Egypt prepares for its upcoming match against Argentina, they carry the weight of past disappointments and high hopes for future triumphs. The team’s journey has been anything but smooth, marked by injuries and close calls, but their resilience shines through. While critics remain skeptical, star players like Salah continue to pay homage to past legends like Aboutrika, emphasizing the spirit of collaboration and the quest for glory that unites generations of Egyptian football.