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Watch: Egypt's El Sisi honours national team after historic World Cup run
The President said sport is not just about winning or losing and praised the team for its performance and the respect it earned from fans worldwide
- PUBLISHED: Sat 11 Jul 2026, 6:27 PM
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with the Egyptian national football team and its technical and administrative staff in El Alamein on Saturday, alongside Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Youth and Sports Johar Nabil, and Egyptian Football Association President Hany Abou Rida.
The presidency’s spokesperson said El-Sisi honoured the players and team staff with the 'Cup of Merit' and honorary medals, recognising their strong performance, skill, and determination, during the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
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El-Sisi also shared lunch with the players and team staff, where the players thanked him for the recognition and pledged to build on the team's achievement.
Presidential spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy said El-Sisi praised the team’s performance, adding that the widespread appreciation they received reflected the pride of Egyptians, Arabs, communities abroad, and football fans around the world.
The President highlighted the team’s sportsmanship and values, saying their achievement reflected the dedication and effort they put forward in representing Egypt, according to the Egyptian presidency statement.
He stressed that success in sport is not only about winning or losing but also about earning people’s respect and admiration, something he said the team achieved through its performance.
El Sisi said the team had been a source of pride for Egyptian youth and brought joy to fans throughout its World Cup journey through its commitment, teamwork, and determination.
He encouraged the team to continue working hard, maintain its spirit, and help inspire and develop future generations of players.
The president reiterated his appreciation for the team's performance, saying Egyptians are proud of what they accomplished and look forward to more success in the future.
The historic run marked Egypt's best-ever World Cup finish. After missing out on Qatar 2022 and exiting in the group stage in Russia 2018, the Pharaohs reached the knockout stage for the first time and advanced to the round of 16 in 2026.
