The Egyptian Football Association has called for calm and urged fans and the media to get behind the national team amid reports that Hossam Hassan is close to being sacked. The statement made no mention of the head coach’s future, just days before Egypt are due to assemble for their November camp.
The statement followed a report by Al Masry Al Youm that the federation’s board, led by Hany Abo Rida, was leaning towards dismissing Hassan and his brother Ibrahim, the national team director. The report came roughly two months after the federation announced that the head coach’s contract had been extended until 2030.
“The interests and stability of the senior national team are our top priorities,” the federation said, stressing the need to keep the squad focused ahead of the resumption of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. It added that “the current situation calls for a great deal of responsibility, calm and unity” and urged fans and the media to avoid escalating tensions in ways that could disrupt preparations for the next two matches.
Ibrahim Hassan had briefly dismissed reports of his brother’s impending departure on Friday, telling Masrawy, “There’s nothing to it.”
In a later Facebook post, the team director defended his brother and questioned the timing of the criticism directed at the coaching staff. “Why are we attacked like this at every turn? Why is this fierce campaign against us launched before every camp?”
Ibrahim added that Hossam had suffered an episode of angina during his time in charge of Egypt and had undergone a procedure to have stents fitted. He said his brother returned to hospital for coronary artery surgery around a month later.
Both brothers will be absent from the technical area against Malawi as they serve three-match bans imposed by FIFA following incidents during Egypt’s round-of-16 match against Argentina at the 2026 World Cup. According to Al Ahram, assistant coach Tarek Soliman will take charge of the team for both fixtures.
Egypt are due to assemble at the National Teams Centre on 9 November. The Pharaohs host Malawi at Cairo International Stadium on 13 November before travelling to Bingu National Stadium for the reverse fixture on 17 November, in the third and fourth rounds of qualifying.
