Swiss FIFA president Gianni Infantino has praised the Egyptian national team's campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sending a message of appreciation to the "Pharaohs" at the close of their historic participation in the tournament. Egypt were eliminated in the round of 16 by Argentina after coming close to reaching the quarter-finals, losing 2-3 in extra time.
Writing on his official Instagram account, Infantino said: "This edition of the World Cup will always hold a special place in the history of Egyptian football! The first appearance in the knockout rounds, and the first win at a World Cup beyond the group stage."
He added: "It was a journey that inspired fans at home and around the world," and concluded: "The memories made this summer will stay with Egyptian football fans for a long time to come."
FIFA had already praised Egypt's historic participation in the 2026 World Cup, stressing that Egypt's journey in the tournament was not merely a participation, but a story that made history, changed the world's perception of the Pharaohs, and rewrote one of the most beautiful chapters in Egyptian football.
Egypt's appearance at the World Cup was historic after they reached the round of 16 for the first time, before bowing out against Argentina in an epic match against the world champions.
FIFA highlighted Egypt's historic participation in a report on its official website, confirming that the Egyptian national team returned to the World Cup with a different mentality after their absence from the Qatar 2022 edition, and succeeded in writing a new chapter with record-breaking figures, having achieved their first win, their first qualification to the knockout rounds, and their first victory in a knockout match.
FIFA said that Egypt's journey in the tournament was a declaration of the birth of a different chapter in Egyptian football history, as they competed with confidence, challenged the world's leading sides as equals, and achieved what no previous Egyptian generation had managed to reach. The journey did not end with lifting the trophy, but it changed the world's view of the Egyptian national team.
FIFA reviewed the Egyptian team's path through the tournament, beginning with a 1-1 draw against Belgium in the group stage, followed by a historic 3-1 victory over New Zealand — a moment generations had waited for — recording their first ever World Cup win.
The report then turned to the 1-1 draw with Iran at the end of the first round, which opened the doors of history for the Egyptian team despite a match full of tension and competitive intensity, as they finished the group stage unbeaten and with a historic qualification to the knockout rounds, before achieving another milestone by defeating Australia in the round of 32.
The Pharaohs came close to reaching a stage no one had anticipated by toppling the reigning World Cup holders and knocking Argentina out in the round of 16. Egypt were minutes away from entering the history books and delivered their most complete performance of the tournament, but the dream fell short due to small details. Nevertheless, Egypt departed to the respect of the entire world.
FIFA stressed that Egypt's participation in the World Cup will not be measured by the number of matches played or goals scored, but by the impact it left. This tournament will endure forever as the edition in which the Pharaohs broke down all barriers and proved they are capable of standing firmly alongside the world's greatest national teams.
FIFA concluded: "The journey may have stopped at the round of 16, but what the Egyptian national team achieved went beyond the boundaries of the result. After decades of searching for an exceptional moment, Egypt finally found the tournament that rewrote its image on the biggest footballing stage in the world, and they leave behind a legacy that will remain present in the memory of Egyptian football."