Hundreds give hero’s welcome to Egypt after best World Cup run

Egypt's national football squad arrived home to widespread celebration following their historic World Cup campaign. Hundreds of supporters gathered at el-Alamein airport on Friday, filling the grounds in red, white, and black attire as the players boarded an open-top bus for a parade through the coastal city. The atmosphere reflected genuine pride in the team's accomplishment, with fans singing patriotic songs and displaying banners thanking the players for their performance.

The Egyptian team achieved a watershed moment by winning their first World Cup match and advancing to the last 16 for the first time in the nation's history, following a penalty victory against Australia. Their run ended in heartbreak when they faced Argentina in the knockout stage, leading 2–0 with minutes remaining before the defending champions mounted an extraordinary comeback to win 3–2. Despite the loss, supporters remained buoyant, with attendees expressing pride in reaching an unprecedented stage of the tournament.

Captain Mohamed Salah, the former Liverpool forward, pledged commitment to Egyptian football's future on social media, stating he would work to ensure the team's performance marked a new beginning for the nation on the international stage. The squad is scheduled to meet President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Saturday. The Egyptian Football Association filed a complaint regarding officiating in the Argentina match, with coach Hossam Hassan alleging injustice, though FIFA's refereeing chief dismissed these claims as unfounded.

Coach Hassan drew particular recognition in Gaza after displaying a Palestinian flag during Egypt's victory over Australia and dedicating the win to the Palestinian people. His pre-match statements emphasizing the suffering of Palestinians resonated widely, and thousands of Palestinians watched Egypt's matches in makeshift viewing spaces throughout Gaza during the tournament.