By Brian Said Iha | July 9, 2026
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has extended the contract of national team head coach Hossam Hassan until 2030, rewarding him for leading the Pharaohs to their best-ever FIFA World Cup performance.
The decision was approved by the EFA Board, chaired by Hany Abo Rida, following Egypt’s historic run to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup—the first time the North African nation has progressed beyond the group stage in the competition.
The new long-term deal provides continuity for the seven-time African champions as they prepare for upcoming continental and international competitions, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the qualification campaign for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Hassan was initially appointed Egypt’s head coach in February 2024 on a two-year contract. After the agreement expired in February 2026, he continued leading the national team throughout the World Cup campaign without signing a new contract, pending discussions with the federation.
His impressive performances at the global tournament ultimately convinced the EFA to hand him a fresh deal that will keep him in charge until the end of the decade.
Under Hassan’s leadership, Egypt enjoyed an unbeaten FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign before carrying that momentum into the tournament itself.
The Pharaohs produced one of their finest performances on the world stage by progressing beyond the group phase for the first time in the country’s football history, a milestone widely celebrated by Egyptian supporters and football stakeholders.
Egypt’s memorable campaign eventually came to an end in the Round of 16 following a dramatic 3-2 defeat to defending champions Argentina in Atlanta.
However, the elimination sparked controversy after Hassan questioned several refereeing decisions made during the match.
The Egypt coach publicly criticized FIFA, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system and French referee François Letexier, alleging that key officiating decisions unfairly favored Argentina and captain Lionel Messi during the knockout fixture.
The EFA has backed its coach’s concerns by lodging a formal complaint with FIFA.
According to the federation, EFA President Hany Abo Rida has requested a comprehensive review of the officiating during the match and called for the French refereeing team to be barred from handling any remaining fixtures at the tournament.
FIFA had not publicly responded to the complaint at the time of the announcement.
Despite the controversial exit, Egypt’s World Cup performance has been hailed as one of the country’s greatest football achievements, strengthening confidence in Hassan’s long-term project to rebuild the national team.
The contract extension signals the federation’s commitment to maintaining stability within the technical bench as Egypt seeks to build on its recent success and establish itself among the leading football nations on the global stage over the coming years.
