Egypt

Egypt return to the World Cup stage with a sense of urgency and unfinished business. The Pharaohs have been African football royalty at the continental level, winning multiple AFCON titles, but their World Cup record is surprisingly thin -- just three appearances and no advancement past the group stage. The 2026 tournament likely represents Mohamed Salah's final opportunity to leave a mark on football's biggest stage, adding enormous emotional weight to every match. Under coach Hossam Hassan, Egypt blend veteran experience with emerging talent. Salah remains the talisman, a player capable of single-handedly deciding games with his finishing, pace, and creativity. Omar Marmoush has developed into a genuine top-level forward, providing Egypt with a second threat they have rarely had in previous tournaments. The midfield, anchored by Mohamed Elneny's experience, is functional if unspectacular. The challenge for Egypt is straightforward: they must navigate a group that includes Belgium and Iran, two teams with more World Cup pedigree. Salah's brilliance gives them a puncher's chance in any match, but advancing from Group G would require near-perfect execution and some help from results elsewhere. For bracket purposes, Egypt are a borderline knockout-round team -- dangerous enough to spring an upset but unlikely to make a deep run.