On Friday, hundreds of jubilant supporters gathered to celebrate the return of Egypt’s national football team following their historic performance at the World Cup. The team’s journey concluded with a dramatic last-16 match against Argentina, marking Egypt’s best-ever showing in the tournament.
A vibrant crowd clad in the national colors of red, white, and black filled the area outside the airport in El-Alamein. From there, the Pharaohs embarked on an open-top bus parade through the city’s streets, greeted by waves of cheering fans.
Among the throng, Mohamed Gehad expressed his enthusiasm to AFP, saying, “We are very happy with the team. Their spirit was high, and ours is high as we welcome them.” The atmosphere was electric as supporters waved Egyptian flags alongside Palestinian flags, demonstrating solidarity with Gaza. A striking image from the tournament—coach Hossam Hossam draped in both flags—was also displayed on posters held by the crowd.
Historic Achievements and Near Upset
Egypt marked a milestone by securing their first-ever World Cup victory, overcoming Australia in a tense penalty shootout. This triumph propelled them into the last 16 for the first time in their history, an unprecedented achievement on the global stage.
Their match against reigning champions Argentina was a rollercoaster of emotions. Egypt held a commanding 2-0 lead with only minutes remaining, only for Argentina to mount a remarkable comeback, ultimately winning 3-2. Despite the heartbreaking result, the fans’ spirits remained undampened.
The celebrations continued with drummers setting a lively rhythm as supporters sang patriotic songs and donned shirts sporting the name of team captain and former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah. Many held handwritten signs and cheered enthusiastically, underscoring the profound pride felt across the nation for this record-breaking World Cup campaign.