Egypt aiming to go through qualifying unbeaten

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan wants to see more of the same spirit from his players when they host Guinea-Bissau in the final round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 9pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM:

The Pharaohs booked their ticket to the global showpiece with a 3-0 victory over Djibouti on Wednesday which saw them confirmed as Group A winners.

It was a seventh win in nine matches for Hassan's side, who are one of just five teams to remain unbeaten in qualifying alongside Senegal, Morocco, Ivory Coast and Tunisia.

Egypt also have the joint-second best defensive record in the qualifiers after conceding twice - only the Elephants and the Eagles of Carthage have been harder to breach with neither shipping any goals.

The Djurtus' hopes of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time were a long time ago after they picked up just one win from their opening seven group games.

Luis Boa Morte's side suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Ethiopia in midweek which left them eight points behind Burkina Faso (2nd) in fourth place.

The Pharaohs had to come from behind to earn a share of the spoils against Guinea-Bissau in the reverse fixture, with Mohamed Salah's 70th-minute equaliser cancelling out Mama Balde's 42nd-minute opener.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan

"I thank the players, they were up to the responsibility, led by Mohamed Salah, Mohamed El-Shennawy, Mahmoud Trezeguet, and the rest of the team. Everyone completed each other; this is the spirit that defines champions.

"From my first day, my goal has been to make Egyptian fans happy. I always picture them in the stands, following every moment. They deserve this joy.

"Egypt deserves this happiness. Many generations have come and gone, and not all got the chance to reach the World Cup. Four qualifications are too few for a country of our footballing history."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Egypt - Mohamed Salah has struggled to get going for Liverpool this season, but he keeps delivering the goods for his country after bagging a brace against the Sharks of the Red Sea. The 33-year-old winger is now just six goals shy of equalling Hossam Hassan's record as the Pharaohs' all-time leading scorer and leads the way in qualifying with nine goals.

Guinea-Bissau - The current crop of Djurtus are short on goals, with Mama Balde not even in the squad for their final two matches after being ruled out with a dead leg. Boa Morte will now be looking to Beto up front, although the Everton striker has yet to find the back of the net in three group appearances.