Hossam Hassan has strongly defended his selection decisions for the Egyptian national team after criticism surrounding the omission of striker Mostafa Mohamed from the squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking after Egypt’s friendly match against Russia, the national team coach praised the performance of his players and expressed satisfaction with the support shown by Egyptian fans before the squad’s departure to the United States for the final stage of World Cup preparations.
Egypt is scheduled to face Brazil in a high-profile friendly on 6 June before beginning its official World Cup campaign.
Hossam Hassan described the encounter with Russia as an important test for the Pharaohs, insisting the match provided valuable tactical and physical preparation ahead of tougher challenges to come.
“The Russian national team is strong, and they have ideas that are implemented on the field, and their players are in very good physical condition. This match is no less than the friendly against Spain or Saudi Arabia, which the Pharaohs played in the previous international break,” he said during the post-match press conference.
The coach also rejected criticism suggesting Egypt’s preparation programme lacked quality or ambition.
“It was a tough match and an experience that I benefited from in every detail, before facing tougher and fiercer competitions in the World Cup. Why do some people belittle our efforts?! On the contrary, the Egyptian national team succeeded in achieving what was required of it in a strong preparation before the World Cup.”
However, much of the discussion after the match centred on Hassan’s decision to leave Mostafa Mohamed out of the squad, a move that has sparked widespread debate in Egyptian football circles.
The striker, who plays for FC Nantes, has been a regular presence in the national team in recent years, making his omission one of the most talked-about decisions ahead of the tournament.
Responding directly to questions about the matter, Hassan called for greater acceptance of coaches’ technical decisions and argued that foreign managers are often treated differently from local coaches.
“We must have a culture in such matters. No one can talk to a foreign coach and discuss his choices. Why did he choose one player and exclude another? There are great players in the world who are excluded in every national team camp, and such matters are normal and no one talks about them.”
He added: “We are used to any foreign coach, when he selects and excludes players, then the talk is about the coach’s thinking, and that the selections are according to his vision. Consider me a foreign coach!”
Hassan also used the opportunity to defend his record in identifying and developing talent during his coaching career.
“There was a foreign coach who took over the training of the Egyptian national team, and he included Mohamed Abdel Moneim for the first time in his football career. Everyone kept talking for a long time about this man, saying that he discovered important players for the national team, such as Mohamed Abdel Moneim, but in the end, he promoted only one player.”
The Egypt coach insisted he had introduced several previously unknown players who later became established names at major clubs.
“During my tenure, names were brought in that the Egyptian public had never heard of before, and then they moved to big clubs. There are players who returned from crises and injuries and participated with me in the national team, and regained their usual level, such as left-back Ahmed Fatouh.”
Hassan also highlighted his role in discovering Islam Issa during his time at Al Masry SC.
“I was the one who discovered Islam Issa and signed him at Al Masry Club in Port Said, coming from Al Nasr Cairo Club. He was one of the best players in the Egyptian national team during the last camp, before he suffered a cruciate ligament injury, so I miss him along with his teammate Mohamed Hamdi.”
Concluding his remarks, Hassan denied favouring any player or club when making national team decisions.
“I don’t know the name of any player or club. I make my technical decisions based on purely technical opinion, and in consultation with the technical staff. Throughout history, we have never shown favoritism to anyone, neither I nor my brother Ibrahim, the national team manager.”
