When Egypt reached the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026, advancing to the round of 32, the streets filled with something larger than football. Egyptians were not celebrating a goal alone, nor simply a result or even a long-awaited first World Cup victory, ending a drought that dated back to the country’s first appearance in 1934. They were celebrating a rare moment in which, for a few hours at least, they all found themselves on the same side of joy.

For Karim Ramadan, watching from a buzzing Cairo cafe before sunrise, the moment felt almost unreal as Egypt progressed from the group stage of a World Cup for the first time in…

LONDON: Whatever happens at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the coming weeks, Arab football fans will have mixed memories of the group stage. Followers of Egypt, Algeria and Morocco…

Ismael Saibari enjoying a breakout tournament while Jordan gave a good account of themselves against Messi and Co

When Egypt reached the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026, advancing to the round of 32, the streets filled with something larger than football. Egyptians were not…