The Egyptian Football Association has pushed back against accusations that it misused public funds during arrangements for the national team’s travel to the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The response comes after parliamentary scrutiny raised questions over the size and cost of the delegation accompanying the national side during their preparations for the tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Egypt national football team have been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium national football team, New Zealand national football team and Iran national football team.
Concern was triggered in recent days when a member of Egypt’s House of Representatives formally requested clarification regarding reports that a large number of individuals had travelled with the squad, allegedly at significant public expense.
In response, Khaled El-Darandaly, vice-president of the Egyptian Football Association and head of the national team delegation, defended the arrangements and insisted that the criticism was based on inaccurate information.
Speaking in televised comments, he said the players had been given time to rest after arriving in the United States as part of their preparation schedule for the World Cup.
El-Darandaly also highlighted the financial benefits the association had received from arranging a series of high-profile friendly matches, including fixtures against Saudi Arabia, Spain, Russia and Brazil.
He rejected claims that the travelling party included unnecessary personnel, stating that the delegation was tightly structured and directly linked to team requirements.
“There is absolutely no truth to what is being circulated about additional individuals and administrators traveling with the national team delegation to America. The delegation consists of 59 individuals, including players, members of the technical, administrative and medical staff.”
He further explained that certain federation employees had been included for operational reasons connected to the organisation of friendly matches, particularly the fixture against Brazil.
According to him, these staff members were performing specific duties and were not part of an expanded or unnecessary travelling group. He added that they would return to Egypt once their responsibilities were completed.
Among those mentioned was Mohammed Zaher, who travelled to the United States to oversee the implementation of the commercial contract linked to the Brazil friendly, working with the organising company responsible for the match.
El-Darandaly also said that other staff members were present to manage ticketing operations, public relations work, and logistical support for both players and technical staff.
These roles, he stressed, were essential to ensuring smooth preparation and match-day operations during the team’s international schedule.
In addition, he confirmed that members of the Egyptian Football Association board of directors would travel to the United States next week to support the team during the World Cup, but emphasised that they would do so at their own personal expense.
According to him, no costs related to the board members’ travel would be covered by the association’s budget, a move he suggested demonstrated financial responsibility and transparency.
The comments come at a sensitive time for Egyptian football, with the national team’s World Cup preparations under close public and political scrutiny as expectations grow ahead of the tournament.
With Egypt preparing for high-profile matches in Group G, the focus is now expected to return to sporting matters, although questions around administration and governance are likely to persist in the build-up to the competition.
