World Cup 2026 (Group A): Pharaohs determined to land the only ticket
Egypt are chasing a third World Cup qualification, and the Pharaohs want to be at the 2026 edition.
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Since the draw for the African zone of the upcoming World Cup 2026, national team coaches have been giving their views on the 9 groups. Some have landed in tough company, while others have come out well. Drawn in Group A alongside Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Sierra Leone, the Pharaohs are on paper the favourites. Only Burkina Faso's Etalons look a genuine threat for the one qualifying ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
Whoever stands in their way, Egypt are determined to do the job in qualifying, which begins in November 2023. "The national team has already begun preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers," said coach Rui Vitoria straight away. "I respect all the teams in the group", the Portuguese coach added, keeping a modest tone.
But Rui Vitoria knows a place at the World Cup has to be earned through hard graft. That is why, he says, "anyone who wants to qualify for the World Cup must play to win and collect the maximum number of points", the Portuguese-speaking coach pointed out. "I fully understand the importance of qualifying for the World Cup, and I will strive, with the rest of the coaching staff and the players, to achieve the dream of qualification," Rui Victoria said reassuringly.
Read more on the same subject: World Cup 2026 - African Zone (Q): Here is the make-up of the 9 groups
With 9 groups of 6 teams set, only the group winners will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, the four best runners-up will take part in play-offs to determine which team will qualify for the intercontinental play-offs.
Jim CEESAY