Egypt football team welcomed home after historic World Cup run

Egypt's national football team returned home to a hero's welcome on July 10, 2026, as thousands of jubilant fans packed El Alamein International Airport to celebrate the squad's historic run to the World Cup's knockout stage. The team's journey ended with a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the last 16, but supporters focused on the unprecedented achievement of reaching that stage for the first time in the nation's history.

Fans, many dressed in the national colors of red, white, and black, waved Egyptian flags and banners praising the players as the team boarded an open-top bus for a parade through the coastal city. Supporters also displayed Palestinian flags and images of coach Hossam Hassan, who had draped himself in both flags during the tournament. The crowd danced, sang patriotic songs, and chanted the name of captain Mohamed Salah, who later wrote on social media that he would do everything in his power to ensure this marks "a new beginning for Egyptian football on the international stage."

The team's historic campaign included Egypt's first-ever World Cup victory, secured by a penalty shootout win over Australia to advance from the group stage. In the knockout round...