FIFA has not issued a warning or punishment to Egypt coach Hossam Hassan over his support for Palestine during the 2026 World Cup, according to an official source within the Egyptian Football Association.
Reports had emerged claiming that FIFA’s disciplinary authorities had warned Hassan, along with several Egypt players and members of the coaching staff, because of their support for the Palestinian people during the tournament.
However, an Egyptian Football Association source told WinWin that those reports were inaccurate.
The source confirmed that FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee had contacted the Egyptian Football Association, but said the request was for explanations and official responses concerning incidents connected with Egypt’s participation in the World Cup.
The inquiries specifically concern events during and after Egypt’s Round of 16 match against Argentina, rather than disciplinary action over support for Palestine.
Egypt’s campaign ended with a 3-2 defeat by Argentina in the last 16, with the Pharaohs conceding in the closing stages of the match.
The result ended what had been the most successful World Cup campaign in Egypt’s history.
FIFA seeks explanations after Argentina match
According to the Egyptian FA source, contact from FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee is a routine part of the disciplinary process when incidents require clarification.
The committee has asked the Egyptian federation to respond to several matters involving members of the national team during and after the Argentina match.
Some of the questions concern Hassan and comments he made during the World Cup.
Other inquiries involve Egypt player Mostafa Zico and statements he made after the defeat by Argentina.
Zico had criticised the referee following the match and accused the official of treating Egypt unfairly.
The Egyptian federation is therefore being asked to provide FIFA with explanations regarding a number of incidents surrounding the match.
The source stressed that this should not be interpreted as confirmation that FIFA has already decided to impose sanctions.
Instead, the disciplinary process remains ongoing.
The committee will assess the Egyptian federation’s responses before determining whether any further action is required.
Palestine support not behind FIFA inquiry
Hassan openly expressed support for Palestine during Egypt’s World Cup campaign.
His position was communicated through statements at press conferences, while he also raised the Palestinian flag following Egypt’s victory over Australia in the Round of 32.
Those actions prompted speculation that FIFA had taken disciplinary measures against the Egypt coach and other members of the squad.
However, the Egyptian FA source categorically rejected the suggestion that FIFA’s current disciplinary process was punishment for supporting Palestine.
The source said the inquiries are instead related to incidents surrounding Egypt’s World Cup campaign, particularly the match against Argentina and comments made afterwards.
That distinction means that no FIFA punishment for Hassan over his support for Palestine has been confirmed by the Egyptian Football Association.
Egypt given six days to respond
The Egyptian Football Association is now preparing its formal response to FIFA.
The federation has instructed its legal department to handle the matter and prepare detailed answers to each of the disciplinary committee’s inquiries.
The responses are expected to be submitted through FIFA’s electronic platform within a six-day deadline.
Once FIFA receives the Egyptian federation’s answers, the disciplinary committee will examine the explanations before deciding what action, if any, should follow.
The case could ultimately be closed without sanctions, or FIFA could decide to impose disciplinary measures against Hassan or other members of the Egyptian delegation.
The Egyptian FA source stressed that no final decision has yet been made.
Egypt prepared to challenge possible sanctions
Should FIFA eventually impose sanctions on Hassan, players or members of the coaching staff, the Egyptian Football Association intends to use the available legal procedures to challenge the decisions where appropriate.
The federation’s legal department will therefore remain involved until the disciplinary process is completed.
For now, the key issue is FIFA’s request for information rather than a confirmed punishment.
Egypt’s World Cup campaign had ended in dramatic fashion against Argentina, but events surrounding that match have now resulted in a separate disciplinary process involving the national team’s coach and players.
The Egyptian FA is expected to submit its explanations within the six-day deadline, after which FIFA’s disciplinary authorities will determine whether the incidents warrant further action.
For Hassan, the immediate focus will be on responding to the specific inquiries made by FIFA rather than any confirmed punishment for his support for Palestine.
The Egyptian Football Association has made its position clear: there has been no confirmed FIFA sanction against Hassan for supporting Palestine, and the current proceedings relate to other incidents and statements connected to Egypt’s World Cup campaign.
