Egypt at AFCON 2025: The Pharaohs' Quest for an Eighth Star
Egypt approaches the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with high expectations. Led by Mohamed Salah and coach Hossam Hassan, they aim to end their 15-year trophy drought. The Pharaohs are eager to make a statement as they remain a significant force in African football, being record holders with seven titles. Their qualification campaign showcased their robust defense, with Trezeguet leading with four goals. Expectations are high for a deep run, given Egypt's rich continental history and unparalleled legacy in the tournament.
- Egypt leads African football with seven AFCON titles
- Mohamed Salah aims to end Egypt's 15-year drought
- The Pharaohs are a strong contender in 2025
As the continent turns its eyes to Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the narrative surrounding Egypt is one of heavy expectation. The Pharaohs are not just participants; they are the aristocracy of African football.
It has been 15 years since they last lifted the trophy, a drought that feels like an eternity for a nation with seven stars on its chest.
Led by Liverpool icon Mohamed Salah and guided by the legendary Hossam Hassan, Egypt arrives with a blend of hunger and tactical pragmatism. This is a side built to win, even if it doesn't always glitter.
AFCON Royalty - A History of Dominance
Egypt’s relationship with the Africa Cup of Nations is unmatched. They are the record holders with seven titles, including an unprecedented "three-peat" between 2006 and 2010.
Recent history has been a tale of heartbreak, with two final defeats in the last four editions (2017 to Cameroon and 2021 to Senegal).
Below is the complete record of Egypt’s participation in the tournament:
| Year | Host Country | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Sudan | Champions |
| 1959 | United Arab Rep. | Champions |
| 1962 | Ethiopia | Runners-up |
| 1963 | Ghana | Third Place |
| 1970 | Sudan | Third Place |
| 1974 | Egypt | Third Place |
| 1976 | Ethiopia | Fourth Place |
| 1980 | Nigeria | Fourth Place |
| 1984 | Ivory Coast | Fourth Place |
| 1986 | Egypt | Champions |
| 1988 | Morocco | Group Stage |
| 1990 | Algeria | Group Stage |
| 1992 | Senegal | Group Stage |
| 1994 | Tunisia | Quarter-finals |
| 1996 | South Africa | Quarter-finals |
| 1998 | Burkina Faso | Champions |
| 2000 | Ghana / Nigeria | Quarter-finals |
| 2002 | Mali | Quarter-finals |
| 2004 | Tunisia | Group Stage |
| 2006 | Egypt | Champions |
| 2008 | Ghana | Champions |
| 2010 | Angola | Champions |
| 2017 | Gabon | Runners-up |
| 2019 | Egypt | Round of 16 |
| 2021 | Cameroon | Runners-up |
| 2023 | Ivory Coast | Round of 16 |
Road to Morocco: Qualifying Campaign
Egypt navigated the qualifiers with professional efficiency. Drawn in Group C, they remained unbeaten, showcasing a defensive solidity that had been missing in previous months.
They secured qualification early, allowing Hossam Hassan to experiment with his squad depth in the final fixtures. Trezeguet top scored with four goals, Ibrahim Adel and Mohamed Salah netting twice.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | Ga | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 14 |
| 2 | Botswana | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 8 |
| 3 | Mauritania | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 7 |
| 4 | Cape Verde | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 4 |
Confirmed Squad: AFCON 2025
Hossam Hassan has named a 28-man squad that balances domestic chemistry with foreign flair. There are 22 players plying their trade in Egypt, eight at Al Ahly and five at Zamalek.
Premier League duo Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush will carry a lot of the attacking threat.
| Pos | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Mohamed El Shenawy | 36 | 68 | 0 | Al Ahly (Egypt) |
| GK | Ahmed El Shenawy | 34 | 29 | 0 | Pyramids (Egypt) |
| GK | Mohamed Sobhi | 26 | 6 | 0 | Zamalek (Egypt) |
| GK | Mostafa Shobeir | 25 | 3 | 0 | Al Ahly (Egypt) |
| DF | Ramy Rabia | 32 | 37 | 4 | Al Ain (UAE) |
| DF | Mohamed Hamdy | 30 | 32 | 1 | Pyramids (Egypt) |
| DF | Mohamed Hany | 29 | 31 | 0 | Al Ahly (Egypt) |
| DF | Ahmed Abou El Fotouh | 27 | 30 | 1 | Zamalek (Egypt) |
| DF | Yasser Ibrahim | 32 | 6 | 0 | Al Ahly (Egypt) |
| DF | Hossam Abdelmaguid | 24 | 5 | 0 | Zamalek (Egypt) |
| DF | Khaled Sobhi | 30 | 5 | 0 | Al Masry (Egypt) |
| DF | Ahmed Eid | 24 | 4 | 0 | Al Masry (Egypt) |
| DF | Mohamed Ismail | 26 | 0 | 0 | Zamalek (Egypt) |
| MF | Trezeguet | 31 | 86 | 22 | Al Ahly (Egypt) |
| MF | Zizo | 29 | 52 | 4 | Al Ahly (Egypt) |
| MF | Hamdy Fathy | 31 | 52 | 3 | Al-Wakrah (Qatar) |
| MF | Marwan Attia | 27 | 25 | 0 | Al Ahly (Egypt) |
| MF | Emam Ashour | 27 | 18 | 0 | Al Ahly (Egypt) |
| MF | Ibrahim Adel | 24 | 17 | 3 | Al Jazira (UAE) |
| MF | Mohanad Lasheen | 29 | 15 | 0 | Pyramids (Egypt) |
| MF | Mahmoud Saber | 24 | 9 | 0 | ZED (Egypt) |
| MF | Mohamed Shehata | 24 | 6 | 0 | Zamalek (Egypt) |
| FW | Mohamed Salah | 33 | 107 | 61 | Liverpool (England) |
| FW | Mostafa Mohamed | 28 | 53 | 13 | Nantes (France) |
| FW | Omar Marmoush | 26 | 40 | 8 | Manchester City (England) |
| FW | Mostafa Fathi | 31 | 37 | 3 | Pyramids (Egypt) |
| FW | Osama Faisal | 24 | 14 | 0 | National Bank of Egypt (Egypt) |
| FW | Salah Mohsen | 27 | 7 | 1 | Al Masry (Egypt) |
The Manager: Hossam Hassan
Hossam Hassan is an institution in Egyptian football. Appointed in February 2024, the 58-year-old is Egypt’s all-time leading goalscorer and a three-time AFCON winner as a player (1986, 1998, 2006).
Known for his fiery temperament and demand for absolute commitment, Hassan has instilled a fire into the squad that was arguably lacking under previous foreign coaches including Carlos Queiroz and Rui Vitoria.
Tactically, he prefers a direct, high-intensity style, often utilizing a 4-3-3 that transitions rapidly into a 4-2-4 when chasing games. His status as a legend commands instant respect in the dressing room, a crucial factor when managing stars of Salah's magnitude.
Egypt's AFCON 2025 Fixtures
Egypt has been drawn in Group B and will play all three matches in the coastal city of Agadir. The clash against South Africa on Boxing Day is the marquee matchup of the group.
| Day | Date | Time (CET) | Fixture | Stadium | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Dec 22, 2025 | 21:00 | Egypt vs Zimbabwe | Adrar Stadium | Agadir |
| Friday | Dec 26, 2025 | 16:00 | Egypt vs South Africa | Adrar Stadium | Agadir |
| Monday | Dec 29, 2025 | 17:00 | Egypt vs Angola | Adrar Stadium | Agadir |
Prediction - Title Contenders
Egypt enter AFCON 2025 with high expectations. Their blend of continental experience and elite attacking talent, led by Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, makes them serious contenders.
The midfield remains a concern. While industrious, it lacks the creative passer who can unlock deep blocks, a struggle Egypt often faces in the group stages.
In a competitive Group B, Egypt are predicted to finish top of their group, progress deep into the knockout stages and reach the semi-finals or final if they can avoid Morocco.
AFCON 2025 Winner Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Morocco | 3.80 |
| Egypt | 6.80 |
| Algeria | 7.10 |
| Senegal | 7.30 |
| Nigeria | 11.00 |
| Ivory Coast | 13.00 |
| Tunisia | 13.00 |
| Mali | 13.00 |
| Cameroon | 19.00 |
| South Africa | 41.00 |
| DR Congo | 51.00 |
| Angola | 69.00 |
| Burkina Faso | 83.00 |
| Zambia | 83.00 |
| Gabon | 83.00 |
| Mozambique | 101.00 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 101.00 |
| Benin | 101.00 |
| Sudan | 101.00 |
| Comoros | 151.00 |
| Tanzania | 151.00 |
| Uganda | 201.00 |
| Zimbabwe | 351.00 |
| Botswana | 501.00 |
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