Egypt and Morocco national teams reflect on World Cup 2026 group stage

Former player Amr Al‑Hadidi praised Egypt coach Hossam Hassan for giving the team a clear playing identity and praised the political support after Egypt secured its first World Cup win, a 3‑1 victory over New Zealand, and draws against Belgium and Iran in the group stage. Journalist Samy Abdel‑Rady echoed the praise, noting that Hassan has not lost a qualifying match and has instilled a fighting spirit in the squad.

Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi said the dream of winning the World Cup remains alive and that the team must stay humble and focused on each match. He highlighted the positive pressure from fans, the family‑like atmosphere within the squad, and the importance of maintaining concentration to progress as far as possible in the tournament.