Egypt’s Mohamed Salah waves as Egypt’s nationwide crew is welcomed by followers at El Alamein Worldwide Airport upon its return from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, forward of an official reception by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in El Dabaa, Egypt, July 10, 2026.
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
Lots of of euphoric followers welcomed house Egypt’s nationwide soccer crew on Friday after the nation’s best-ever efficiency on the World Cup, which ended with an exhilarating last-16 match in opposition to Argentina.
A sea of followers wearing pink, white and black crammed the grounds outdoors the airport, the place the Pharaohs boarded an open-top bus for a parade by the coastal metropolis.
“We’re very pleased with the crew,” stated Mohamed Gehad. “Their spirit was excessive, and ours can also be excessive as we welcome them.”
Egypt tasted its first-ever win within the quadrennial extravaganza earlier than reaching the spherical of 16 after beating Australia on penalties.
It was extremely near reaching one of many largest upsets in opposition to Lionel Messi’s Argentina when it led 2-0 with simply 11 minutes left. Nevertheless, the defending champion staged an astonishing 3-2 comeback win.
However followers danced to the beat of drums, singing patriotic songs and sporting shirts bearing the title of captain Mohamed Salah. Many flashed banners which learn: “You made us proud, males.”
“They reached a stage they’d by no means reached earlier than and we’re happy with them,” stated Eyad Ahmed, one other fan.
New starting
Because the crew’s bus pulled away from the airport, flags rippled above the gang and supporters surged alongside the car till it disappeared from view.
“I’ll do every little thing in my energy to make sure this can be a new starting for Egyptian soccer on the worldwide stage,” Salah wrote on social media throughout the celebrations.
The gamers are anticipated to fulfill President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday who, on social media, thanked the crew for its “honourable efficiency”.
The Egyptian Soccer Affiliation has additionally lodged a grievance in opposition to the officiating crew from Tuesday’s match, with coach Hassan accusing officers of injustice regardless of FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina rejecting what he referred to as “unfounded allegations”.
Printed – July 11, 2026 04:43 am IST
