Hani Abou Rida: Success in 2026 World Cup Wasn't Just Luck

Hani Abou Rida, the President of the Egyptian Football Association, spoke about the success of the Egyptian national team in the 2026 World Cup and their advancement to the Round of 16, emphasizing that it was not just luck but rather due to early preparation and precise planning.

Abou Rida, during his appearance on the program "Al-Soura" with journalist Lamis El Hadidi broadcast on "Al-Nahar", explained that there is a significant difference between the 2018 and 2026 editions. He pointed out that the Russia edition was the first after a 28-year absence, which led to a lack of experience and the selection of the training camp by lottery due to a delayed ranking. In contrast, for 2026, qualification came early, providing ample opportunity for thorough preparation.

Abu Rida stated: "The United States was a vast continent, and we were going to play between Canada and the United States, so the logistics were difficult. However, we arranged early and sent a delegation six months in advance, leaving no detail unattended."

It was pointed out that the preparations leading up to the 2026 edition left nothing to chance, as every detail was meticulously planned, contributing to the national team's impressive performance in the tournament.

Abu Rida stressed that the brilliance in the 2026 World Cup is the result of prior planning and hard work, not mere coincidence, pointing out that all resources have been harnessed to create the ideal environment for players to deliver their best performances.

The Egyptian Football Association has learned from the lessons of 2018, where the shortcomings in the arrangements were evident. Efforts have been made to rectify these issues in the latest edition to ensure a completely different experience.