Egypt defender Yasser Ibrahim says he believes the national team is capable of achieving “something special” at the 2026 World Cup as the Pharaohs prepare for their return to football’s biggest stage.
The Egypt national football team and Al Ahly SC centre-back spoke about his ambitions for the tournament and the responsibility of representing his country, insisting that focus and hard work will be crucial if Egypt are to perform strongly in the competition.
Egypt are set to begin their World Cup campaign against Belgium national football team on 15 June, a fixture already attracting significant attention as supporters hope for a positive start that could strengthen the team’s hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds.
Speaking in media interviews, Ibrahim reflected on what playing in the World Cup means to him personally.
“The World Cup was a dream I had since childhood, and I used to follow the tournament matches with great passion. Today, wearing my country’s national team jersey in this tournament is a great honor and a great responsibility, and I look forward to achieving an accomplishment that befits Egypt’s status and history,” he said.
The defender also discussed comparisons between the FIFA World Cup and the Club World Cup, where he previously enjoyed success with Al Ahly.
“When asked about his previous success in the Club World Cup with Al-Ahly and the possibility of repeating that with the Egyptian national team, he said: “Each tournament has its own nature, and the World Cup for national teams is different from the Club World Cup, but I aspire to leave an influential mark through performance and goal contributions, and I always give my all on the pitch.””
Ibrahim added that he hopes to make a meaningful contribution during the tournament, both defensively and offensively, as Egypt seek to compete against some of the world’s strongest sides.
The 32-year-old also praised teammate Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, describing him as both a close friend and an important figure within the squad.
“He is a special player and a close friend, and he always talks about the World Cup, emphasizing the big differences between it and the Club World Cup,” Ibrahim said.
Attention also turned to the debate surrounding the omission of striker Mostafa Mohamed from the national team setup.
Ibrahim avoided criticising the coaching staff and stressed that selection decisions ultimately rest with the technical team.
“It is difficult to talk about players we regretted not joining, because ultimately it is up to the technical staff’s choices, and every player has his share and opportunity,” he said.
He then addressed Mostafa Mohamed directly, adding: “Mostafa was present with us during the past period, and he gave a lot to the national team throughout his participations, but in the end, this remains the technical director’s vision and assessments.”
Ibrahim concluded by underlining the importance of unity within the squad, regardless of individual roles or selection decisions.
“On a personal level, if I don’t have a role with the national team, I will fully respect the decisions of the coaching staff, and it is essential that we all support and stand by the national team in all circumstances.”
