The Egyptian Football Association has made Ali Maher’s future as national team coach through 2030 World Cup qualifying dependent on Egypt’s performance at the next Africa Cup of Nations, under the terms agreed with the new coach.
EFA board member Mostafa Abu Zahra revealed the details on CBC’s Number One programme, days after Maher replaced Hossam Hassan and ahead of his first game in AFCON qualifying.
Abu Zahra said Maher must “reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations to stay in charge for World Cup qualifying”.
“If we qualify for the World Cup, he’ll stay in charge for the tournament itself,” he added. That means Maher would lead Egypt at the 2030 finals if he guides them through qualifying.
Abu Zahra said the same conditions applied to Hassan’s contract and revealed that Maher will earn less than his predecessor. The committee overseeing the agreement is still finalising the wording after the two sides settled the main terms.
Hassan led Egypt to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Maher takes his first international job after spells in Egyptian club football with Pyramids, Al-Masry, ENPPI and Ceramica Cleopatra.
Maher’s first two games in charge will both be against Malawi, in Cairo on 13 November and in Lilongwe on 17 November. He has recalled Mohamed El Shenawy and Mahmoud Trezeguet and handed Modern Sport striker Mahmoud Mamdouh his first call-up.
Egypt top Group B with four points after drawing with Angola and scoring five in a win over South Sudan. Malawi go into the double-header third with three points.
