2026 World Cup: I Am Ready To Fulfill My Childhood Dream –Egypt Defender

Egypt defender Hossam Abdelmaguid says he’s thrilled to fulfill his childhood dream of playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

At just 25 years old, the Zamalek SC centre-back stated that realizing this goal just three years after joining the first team is incredible, and that he is targeting a deep run in North America.

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“The World Cup was ‌a dream for me because my older brother used to talk to me about the tournament when I was a child. I remember telling ‌him I would play in the World Cup,” Abdelmaguid told Reuters in a Zoom interview.

“But I did not ‌expect to realise that childhood dream so quickly, just three years after joining the first team.”

Egypt have been drawn in Group G with ‌Belgium, New Zealand and Iran, a draw that has fuelled hopes among their fans of a ‌breakthrough World Cup campaign.

“This is what the fans hope from us, and it is their right. It is also our right to aim for the knockout stages,” he said.

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“Every fan has the right to dream of winning ‌the tournament, but each team has its own circumstances. I believe ⁠we can advance from the group stage and go far in ‌the World Cup. We want to win every game, and if we cannot win, then not to lose. We are trying ​to give everything we can.

“Hossam Hassan always motivates us and tells us we can do it, which gives us belief that we can achieve something for Egypt. All of them are elite players, but that does not mean I fear them because I play for Egypt … I focus on details and watch their clips with my performance analyst, as well as in sessions with Hossam Hassan.”