The Egyptian Football Association emphasized a heartfelt congratulatory message received from the brothers in Palestine following the national team’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals and topping their group in the African qualifiers undefeated.

The association posted a video on its official platforms highlighting the deep historical and popular ties between the two countries, with the Football Association stating: “Hearts are closer than borders.. the sweetest congratulations.. you are in our hearts and minds.”

Egypt secured an easy 1-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau in the match held Sunday evening, part of the tenth and final round of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, amid celebratory atmosphere for the qualification.

The only goal came in the 10th minute from a left corner kick executed by Zizo, who passed outside the penalty area to Koka, who delivered a precise cross into the box met by Mohamed Hamdy’s header that landed in the right side of the goal.

Egypt qualified for the World Cup for the fourth time, topping Group A in the African qualifiers with 26 points from 10 matches, achieving 8 wins, 2 draws, and no losses.

The lineup against Guinea-Bissau included: “Goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi, defenders Mohamed Hany, Rami Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Hamdy, midfielders Mohanad Lasheen, Ahmed Nabil Koka, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, and the attacking trio Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Ibrahim Adel, and Mostafa Mohamed.”

The substitutes list included: “Mostafa Shobeir, Abdel Aziz Belouty, Hossam Abdel Meguid, Amr Elgazar, Khaled Sobhi, Ahmed Eid, Mahmoud Saber, Mostafa Fathi, Osama Faisal.”

The Egyptian coaching staff decided to exclude El-Shenawy from the squad and rested Liverpool star Mohamed Salah for the match. The duo Marwan Attia (Al Ahly) and Hamdy Fathi (Al Wakrah, Qatar) were excluded due to suspension after receiving their second yellow cards.

The full squad included: “Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir, Mohamed Sobhi, Abdel Aziz Belouty, Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Eid, Rami Rabia, Khaled Sobhi, Yasser Ibrahim, Amr Elgazar, Hossam Abdel Meguid, Mohamed Hamdy, Ahmed Nabil Koka, Marwan Attia, Hamdy Fathi, Mohanad Lasheen, Mahmoud Saber, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Ibrahim Adel, Mostafa Fathi, Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Mohamed, Osama Faisal.”

FIFA set December 5 as the date for the 2026 World Cup draw, which will feature 48 teams for the first time in history, to be held in Washington, USA.