President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received today, in the city of Alamein, the players of the national football team and the technical and administrative staff, in the presence of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, Mr. Jawhar Nabil, Minister of Youth and Sports, and Engineer Hani Abu Rida, President of the Egyptian Football Association.
The official spokesman for the Presidency of the Republic stated that the President awarded the national team players and members of the technical and administrative staff the Cup of Merit and honorary medals in appreciation of their heroic performance and high technical level during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the determination, perseverance, and discipline they demonstrated.
A commemorative photo was taken of the President with the team players and the technical and administrative staff.
Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, the official spokesman, explained that the President addressed the national team players and the technical and administrative staff; he began by welcoming them, expressing his pride and appreciation for the honorable performance the team delivered, affirming that this praise reflects the general impression among all Egyptians who followed the national team's matches, as well as in Arab countries, Egyptian and Arab communities abroad, and around the world.
The President praised the high values embodied by the team, reflecting the authenticity of the Egyptian people, stressing that what was achieved is commendable effort and great dedication in the name of Egypt.
His Excellency noted that sports are not only about winning and losing, but what is more important is the respect the national team earned from people who appreciated what the team delivered more than the victory itself.
The President also stressed that the team represented Egypt's youth in a wonderful and honorable manner, creating a state of joy among citizens during its World Cup journey thanks to the seriousness of its performance and because it appeared in the matches as a great team exerting effort with dedication.
The President praised the team's performance, which reflected the Egyptians' ability to achieve success, stressing that the Egyptian people love sports, and football in particular, and include many talents who can reach the same level of efficiency as the team's current stars.
In this context, the President affirmed the need for "impartial scouts" for young and emerging talents, confirming the state's readiness to support competencies and give them the opportunities they deserve, as well as support for the national technical staff.
The President concluded his speech by emphasizing the need to continue hard work, exert effort, maintain the spirit, and build new generations of players to build on the success achieved.
The meeting concluded with the President having lunch with the team players and members of the technical and administrative staff, during which His Excellency was keen to listen to a number of players who expressed their gratitude for meeting the President and His Excellency's appreciation for them, affirming that the national team, and the players in particular, will do their utmost to build on the achievement realized.
For his part, the President again expressed his and the Egyptian people's thanks and appreciation for the achievement the team accomplished, noting that the Egyptian people now expect a great deal from the team in the coming phase.
