Hani Abu Rida, Chairman of the Football Association Board, spoke about the performance of the Egyptian national team in the recent 2026 World Cup, which was held in the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico.
Abu Rida said, via Al-Nahar channel: "Great people in football, after the Argentina and Egypt match, they told me you are a respectable team, and after the match, I saw everyone asking for Mohamed Salah's shirt."
He continued: "After Argentina's first goal, the players got distracted, and in the World Cup final, the whole world was against Argentina because of what happened in the Egypt match, even those who love Messi, and there was injustice from the refereeing, and we were wronged in two plays, and I don't want to talk about them."
He continued: "Infantino was not present at the match as some claimed, and his wife and daughter were wearing red shirts, and I told some colleagues that I see us in the semifinals of the World Cup."
He went on: "I told the FIFA president that the best goal in the tournament was the disallowed goal in the Argentina match, and he told me you are right, and I met Collina, the head of the referees committee, at the World Cup final, and he told me I will sit with you and explain the referee's decisions in the Argentina match, so I told him after what? It's over."
See also.. Argentine network places Hossam Hassan on a blacklist because of the World Cup
He added: "The Egypt and Argentina match was ridiculous, but it gave us a global reputation, and I promise that the players will deliver a distinguished performance in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, and Mohamed Salah takes great care of himself, and I hope he will be present at the 2030 World Cup."
He added: "Any player gets angry because of not participating, but Mohamed El-Shenawy's heart was with the team, and he saw that Tawfik Mustafa Shobier's participation in the tournament was from God."
He continued: "It is a blessing from our Lord that I am the president of the association during the Egyptian national team's participation in the World Cup, and the difference between 2018 and 2026 is that in 2028 there was a lack of capabilities and late arrangements because we qualified late."
He continued: "In 2026 we qualified early and were able to prepare well, and I am happy with the level we have reached, and all of that came through arrangement and coordination; nothing comes by chance."
Regarding Trump's lifting of the suspension decision on the American national team player, he said: "He does what he wants."
He pointed out: "The players received World Cup bonuses, which were paid to them after the end of each match, and sometimes according to the regulations, and at other times I doubled them."
He continued: "A new version of Hossam Hassan emerged and spoke with him, and there is no longer any nervousness, and I told him if Hossam (is only for enthusiasm) I would have hired a singer."
He concluded: "I made the decision to renew Hossam Hassan's contract before the Argentina match, and the committee will meet with him to renew his contract and agree on some clauses."
