Trezeguet: 'Our Goal is to Pass the Group Stage in the 2026 World Cup'

Mahmoud Hassan "Trezeguet," a player for the Egyptian national team, expressed his high aspirations with the "Pharaohs" in the 2026 World Cup finals, emphasizing that the primary goal is to advance past the group stage and compete strongly in the global tournament.

Trezeguet said in statements on the FIFA website: "Participating in the World Cup is an extremely wonderful feeling, and I hope I am fortunate enough to be part of the tournament. Playing in an event of this magnitude remains a dream for every player, as it is the most important tournament in the world, and for me, it is an exceptional feeling to participate in it for the second time."

The Egyptian national team star spoke about his previous experience in the 2018 World Cup, saying: "The memories of 2018 were special, as I fulfilled my dream of playing in the World Cup. Although the results were not the best, it was an important experience from which I learned a lot, and I hope the next experience will be much better."

Regarding the team's absence from the 2022 edition, he explained: "It was extremely difficult because we were close to qualifying and lost on penalties. It was a painful feeling, one of the toughest moments in my career, but we have moved past it and are striving to make a strong appearance in the next edition."

Trezeguet added, speaking about representing the Egyptian national team: "Playing for my country is a great honor and a huge responsibility towards 120 million Egyptians. I have been with the national team for 13 years and have participated in various tournaments, and I hope to continue for as long as possible."

Regarding his colleague Mohamed Salah, he said: "Playing alongside Salah is a source of pride for all of us. He has a significant history in the strongest leagues and has always been the best player for us. We hope to help him achieve his greatest accomplishments."

He also addressed the new generation within the team, saying: "All the current players possess the necessary quality. Wearing the Egyptian national team jersey is a big responsibility, and players must handle it like seasoned professionals. We are working on passing on experience to them."

He concluded his remarks by saying: "I believe the most important strength of the team in 2026 is the awareness of the value of participating in the World Cup after a long absence. Our main goal is to first get past the group stage, then go as far as possible and elevate Egypt's name high."

The Egyptian national team will compete in the 2026 World Cup within Group G, which includes Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand, marking the Pharaohs' fourth historical participation in the tournament.