A massive crowd of fans, adorned in the colors of the Egyptian flag, gathered outside the airport in El-Alamein to welcome the Pharaohs home following their historic run in the 2026 World Cup. The players were greeted by supporters chanting and dancing to drumbeats before boarding an open-top bus for a celebratory parade through the coastal city.
Many fans wore jerseys bearing the name of captain and former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, while others displayed handwritten banners with messages such as, "You made us proud, men." Supporters were seen waving both Egyptian and Palestinian flags, reflecting the team's connection to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Coach Hossam Hassan, who was previously seen draped in both flags during the tournament, has been vocal in his support for the Palestinian people, calling their suffering a "shame on the world" during a pre-match press conference.
Egypt’s performance in the tournament marked several milestones, including their first-ever World Cup victory and a historic advancement to the round of 16 after defeating Australia on penalties. The team also nearly secured a major upset against defending champions Argentina, holding a 2-0 lead before falling 3-2 in a late comeback. Reflecting on the campaign, Salah stated on social media that he is committed to ensuring the tournament serves as a new beginning for Egyptian football on the international stage.
While the mood among supporters remained celebratory, the Egyptian Football Association has filed a formal complaint regarding the officiating during the team's final match. Coach Hassan has alleged injustice, though FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina has dismissed these claims as unfounded. Looking ahead, the players are scheduled to meet with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday, who has publicly thanked the squad for their honorable performance.
"We are very happy with the team," supporter Mohamed Gehad told AFP at the airport where he had travelled to welcome the players.
"They reached a stage they had never reached before and we are proud of them," another fan Eyad Ahmed told AFP.