CAIRO, Egypt — In the hours before a historic day for millions of Egyptians, the whole country is transformed into a scene. Flags fly on cars and balconies, patriotic songs blare from speakers, and cafes turn into mini stadiums.
And every conversation, from public transport to the workplace to the market, revolves around one question. Will the Pharaohs continue their historic World Cup run when they take on Argentina?
Egypt will face the reigning world champions in the round of 16 on Tuesday in Atlanta, USA. However, this match is no longer just a soccer contest; it has become a national event that transcends the confines of the soccer field.
The national team regained hope by advancing to the finals of the tournament for the first time, opening the door to a long-held dream of competing alongside the giants of football.
The match took on deeper meaning for fans after Egyptian head coach Hossam Hassan expressed his enthusiastic support for Palestine following his team’s victory over Australia in Friday’s Round of 32 match.
Israeli media were quick to attack the Egyptian coach and team, and influential people in Israel called on their compatriots to support Argentina against Egypt.
Cairo’s hope, faith and pride
The day before kick-off, heated discussions took place in Egyptian cafes, with locals traveling by public transport exchanging tactics, predictions and analysis.
It showed immense pride in the team’s accomplishment and sowed the seeds of confidence in the Pharaohs’ ability to continue their historic run as they faced their most formidable opponents.
Construction contractor Ragab Mohamed said the round of 16 match was “an honorable achievement for all Egyptians”.
Fans, including Mahmoud, who declined to give his last name and was busy watching Brazil’s loss to Norway at a cafe in Giza’s Hadaik October district, noted the Egyptian team’s impressive performance throughout the tournament. He gave special praise to captain Mohamed Salah, praising the team for raising the nation’s expectations with every result.
Mohamed believes Salah and Imam Ashour were the standout players and coach Hassan was the surprise element, but was quick to admit that the team was a “source of pride” regardless of the result against Argentina.
For Adam Adel, a doctor in Giza, Egypt’s progress is reminiscent of Morocco’s historic performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He urged the team to go one step further and said it was their ambition to see Egypt in the quarter-finals.
Pharaoh is rewriting history
The national team and the flag are the talk of the town.
Vendors selling Egyptian flags, whistles and paraphernalia occupied squares and main roads as fans prepared for the historic night to the soundtrack of the national anthem blaring from the speakers.
Masoud al-Sayed, who started a business selling flags and whistles on the sidewalk of Giza’s Al-Haram Street, said Egypt had not witnessed this excitement “since the days of coach Hassan Shehata’s team”, referring to the generation of Egyptian footballers who won three consecutive African Cup of Nations titles from 2006 to 2010.
Another fan, Mahmoud Rabie, believes that although the match against Argentina will be the toughest since the start of the tournament, it is not impossible given the mental strength the national team has shown under Hassan. He credits the coaching staff with instilling confidence in the players and fans.
Some fans, like Eid Mahmoud, believe that if the match were to be decided in another penalty shootout, Egypt would win thanks to goalkeeper Mostafa Shobair.
Younger fans are happy that the team has advanced through the knockouts, putting aside the notion of mere “honorable appearances.”
He pointed to Cape Verde’s performance against Argentina as proof that the world champions are not immune to surprises, and stressed that the presence of star players like Salah and Omar Marmouche gives Egyptians hope.
In Alexandria, Egypt’s second largest city, flags were lined along the coast and could even be seen on the hands of children.
Raghad, 11, wore a red shirt and proudly wore the Al Ahly club shirt with the number 22 worn by Ashour, who scored Egypt’s opening goal against Australia. The young fan admitted he didn’t know much about the players other than Salah and Ashour, but had planned to watch the match at a cafe with his father.
Amid the optimistic predictions, fans agree that the players have succeeded in restoring faith in the team and the country.
As the match begins thousands of miles away in Atlanta, millions of people will gather in decorated cafes and streets to await the Pharaoh’s latest attempt to rewrite the history of Egyptian soccer.
