Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday honored the national football team players, along with the technical and administrative staff, during a reception in New Alamein, attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Youth and Sports Gohar Nabil, and head of the Egyptian Football Association, Engineer Hany Abo Rida.

The Egyptian Football Association extends its thanks and appreciation to His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

The Board of Directors of the Egyptian Football Association, headed by Engineer Hany Abo Rida, members of the technical, administrative and medical staff, and players of the first national team, extend their sincere thanks and great appreciation to His Excellency President Abdel Fattah... pic.twitter.com/gTeImIxo13

— EFA.eg (@EFA) July 11, 2026

The Egyptian team had arrived in Alamein on Friday, coming from the United States, where thousands of fans gathered at Alamein Airport to receive them, expressing their appreciation for their honorable performance in the World Cup competitions, and offering congratulations and thanks to the players and technical staff.

The Egyptian president granted the national team players and members of the technical and administrative staff the Cup of Merit and honorary medals in appreciation of their heroic performance and high technical level during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the determination, perseverance and discipline they showed, according to statements by the spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, in a statement on Saturday.

The Egyptian team upon arrival in Alamein (Egyptian Football Association)

El-Sisi addressed the national team players and the technical and administrative staff, welcoming them and expressing his pride and appreciation for the team's honorable performance, stressing that this praise is a general impression among everyone who followed the national team's matches, including Egyptians, in Arab countries, Egyptian and Arab communities abroad, and also around the world.

The president praised the high values embodied by the team, reflecting the authenticity of the Egyptian people, stressing that what was achieved is a commendable effort and great dedication in the name of Egypt.

He pointed out that sport is not just about winning and losing, but the most important thing is the respect the national team earned from people who appreciated what the team offered more than the victory itself.

The Egyptian team had competed in World Cup qualifiers with advanced results, drawing with Belgium, then defeating New Zealand, and drawing with Iran in the 48-team stage qualifiers to advance to the round of 32, beating Australia, then advancing to the round of 16, where they put on an impressive performance against Argentina (the previous World Cup champion), losing 2-3 amid global controversy over the thrilling match, thus bidding farewell to the World Cup.

Popular and official reception for the Egyptian team (Egyptian Football Association)

El-Sisi said in the statement that 'the team represented Egypt's youth in a wonderful and honorable way, and created a state of joy among citizens during its World Cup journey, thanks to the seriousness of performance, and because it appeared in matches as a great team making sincere efforts.' He considered the team's performance 'reflects Egyptians' ability to achieve success,' stressing that the Egyptian people love sports, especially football, and include many talents that can reach the level of the current stars of the team.

The president stressed the need for 'impartial scouts' to discover promising talents among juniors and youth, noting the state's readiness to support talented individuals and give them the opportunities they deserve, along with supporting the national technical staff. He emphasized the importance of continuing hard work, making more efforts, maintaining fighting spirit, and building new generations of players, to ensure building on the success achieved.

For his part, Egyptian sports critic Osama Saqr considered the president's reception of the team 'an honor on behalf of the Egyptian people, and appreciation for the achievement, distinguished performance and great effort the players made in the World Cup.'

He added to Asharq Al-Awsat that 'the president's meeting with the team must carry a degree of frankness, which makes us look forward to a new phase that I think will be very good for Egyptian football.'

The crowd gathered around the Egyptian team (AFP)

Saqr considered this meeting supportive of the technical staff and a renewal of confidence in Hossam Hassan and his colleagues, and said: 'I hope the meeting will be an impetus for more successes for the team, and we hope there will be another meeting for the team with the fans at Cairo Stadium or the New Administrative Capital to salute the team.'

During lunch with members of the national team, El-Sisi listened to a number of players who expressed their gratitude for the meeting with the president, affirming that 'the national team, and the players in particular, will do their utmost to build on the achievement realized,' according to the statement.

Egyptian sports critic Saad Seddik describes the president's reception of the team as 'a reception befitting the heroes and the achievement made by our national team under the leadership of Hossam Hassan,' adding to Asharq Al-Awsat: 'I hope the Football Association, headed by Hany Abo Rida, will capitalize on this spirit and continue its support for the team and its national staff in order to advance further towards global competition.'