Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received the players, technical, and administrative staff of the Egyptian national football team at the presidential headquarters in New Alamein City. The prestigious reception followed the team’s historic campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Youth and Sports Gouhar Nabil, and the President of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), Eng. Hany Abu Rida.
National Recognition and Presidential Honors
According to Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, Spokesman for the Presidency, President El-Sisi awarded the players and staff the Merit Cup alongside high-level honorary decorations. This national recognition celebrates their heroic performance, outstanding technical execution, and the determination, perseverance, and discipline displayed on the global stage. Following the ceremony, a commemorative photograph was taken with the President and the entire delegation.
+-----------------------------------------+
| 2026 presidential honors |
+-----------------------------------------+
| • The Merit Cup |
| • National Honorary Decorations |
| • Official Commemorative Photography |
+-----------------------------------------+
President El-Sisi welcomed the team, expressing immense pride in their honorable representation of the nation. He emphasized that this commendation mirrors the collective pride felt by Egyptians, the wider Arab world, expatriate communities abroad, and international football enthusiasts who closely followed Egypt’s journey.
Values Beyond Victory: Character and Discipline
During his address, President El-Sisi lauded the noble values embodied by the squad, noting that their conduct reflected the authentic character of the Egyptian people.
“Sport is not merely about winning and losing. More importantly, the national team earned the respect of people worldwide, who valued the team’s performance even more than victory itself.” — President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
The President stressed that the team represented Egypt’s youth in an admirable manner, bringing immense joy to citizens through their serious performance and cohesive teamwork. He reiterated that the Egyptian people possess a deep-rooted passion for football and that the country remains rich in raw talent capable of matching the excellence of its current international stars.
A Strategic Vision for Egyptian Football Talent
Looking toward the future of sports development, President El-Sisi underlined the critical need for impartial talent scouts dedicated to identifying emerging young players across the country. He reaffirmed the State’s full readiness to support promising athletes, grant them elite opportunities, and back national coaching staffs. The President concluded by urging the football federation to sustain this momentum, preserve team spirit, and systematically build new generations of players.
Following the formal address, President El-Sisi hosted a luncheon for the national team. The President engaged in open dialogue with several players, who expressed their gratitude for the presidential reception and vowed to spare no effort in building upon this landmark achievement. President El-Sisi closed the gathering by conveying the ongoing support of the Egyptian public, noting that the nation eagerly looks forward to even greater victories in the upcoming sports cycles.
Read More Fifa World Cup News here.
