Egypt is a country that is anchored by two eternal realities: it is a country that relies heavily on the River Nile to sustain itself, and views football as a religion.
It is a country that boasts iconic landmarks in the history of mankind, such as the era of being ruled by the pharaohs, and is also a nation that boasts being the most successful at the African stage in history.
To its citizens, teams like Zamalek FC and Al Ahly are obsessions. They are seldom interested in following European leagues.
As the Mohamed Salah-captained side prepares to cross the Atlantic for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they carry the hopes of 110 million souls on their shoulders. Striver.Football breaks down everything you need to know about what football means to the country.
The Al Ahly-Zamalek Rivalry That Shapes Egypt
If you keenly follow Egyptian and African football in general, you would know that every single drop of footballing blood within their borders is filtered through two choices: Red or White?
The rivalry between Al Ahly and Zamalek is the structural bedrock of the nation’s sports culture. Just like with Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain, the divide is a 24/7 year-round media storm that divides families, blocks out entire cities, and dictates social circles.
Historically, this was a clash of deep social identities. Al Ahly, founded in 1907, was the club of the anti-colonial, nationalist student movement and the working-class masses.
Zamalek, emerging shortly after, was viewed as the club of the Cairo intelligentsia, expatriates, and the elite.
Although their ideological lines have thinned well into the 21st century, the intensity of their rivalry remains as concentrated as ever before. Over 80 per cent of the entire population aligns with one of the two clubs.
However, when matters related to the national team arise, the country unites. The Cairo Divide is temporarily frozen as both Egyptian Premier League rivals lock arms to transform this incredibly passionate force for the national team.
The Ahwa Tradition and Matchday Rituals
During game nights involving Egyptian sides, those unable to get to the stadium get to watch games inside ahwas (traditional street cafes) which are often chaotic during matches. Hundreds of wooden chairs spill directly into the narrow alleys of Cairo, Alexandria, and Mansoura.
The air is thick with the sweet aroma of shisha smoke, roasting coffee, and fresh mint tea. When the Pharaohs play people from all generations sit on the chairs, glued to the screens.
Car horns, waving flags and red flares are often the theme especially if Egypt scores goals. Football becomes a beautiful equalizer, a space where economic anxieties and political exhaustion are entirely burned away by ninety minutes of shared destiny.
Role Models and Heroes: Mo Salah’s Last Dance
To call Mo Salah a hero in Egypt is a massive understatement. The legendary right winger is a living monument and the embodiment of what every Egyptian kid dreams of emulating.
Hailing from Nagrig, a tiny village in the Nile Delta, no one would ever have imagined that Salah would end up blossoming into what he is now.
With the forward set to leave Liverpool after eight successful seasons, in which he won a UEFA Champions League trophy, two English Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a Carabao Cup and multiple individual awards, Salah has achieved it all.
Every weekend, millions of Egyptians pack the ahwas simply to watch Liverpool fixtures, treating them with the exact same emotional weight as a domestic cup final. Despite losing two AFCON finals with Egypt, he remains adored.
However, he will be heading to America with the gut-wrenching heartbreak of the World Cup before still fresh in his mind.
The former Chelsea man played through a severe shoulder injury in Russia 2018 as Egypt crashed out in the group stage and missed out entirely on Qatar 2022.
Now, at this stage of his career, this tournament represents his final dance on the grandest stage. He will be keen to cement his immortal status in the thousands of years of Egyptian history.
How the Fans Feel Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Egypt will be headed to America carrying an unusual paradox. Although they are record African champions, they have always tended to choke at the World stage.
In their three previous World Cup appearances (1934, 1990, and 2018), the Pharaohs have shockingly never won a single match.
The mood heading into this tournament is entirely different from the cautious optimism of past generations. Egypt is hunting for World Cup validation. They are ready to demand the global respect that their rich footballing heritage has always deserved.
While some realistic fans warn of a swift reality check, arguing that Egypt will hit a wall in "the Round of 16 because our quality doesn't rely on more than just one world-class player, Mohamed Salah," according to Ahram Gate YouTube channel, others refuse to let pragmatism dampen their fire.
Fueled by the hiring of a local legend, a massive wave of fans are completely backing the new era.
"I am incredibly optimistic about coach Hossam Hassan; he is a passionate manager who brings that true fighting spirit," another fan said.
"Teams like Belgium are tough, but our players are up to the task because we are the Pharaohs! God willing, we will overcome them, get past the elimination rounds, and march all the way to the semi-finals."
