Egypt
FIFA #35
Seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions carrying the hopes of a football-mad nation. Mo Salah makes every opponent nervous and the Pharaohs are determined to prove they belong on this stage.
๐ In the US
Based in the New York area, where the Egyptian-American community is one of the largest Arab diaspora groups in the tristate region. The Pharaohs' fans will make their presence felt loudly and early, and the Egyptian flag will be visible at every venue they enter.
Style
Counter-attacking and defensively solid, with the discipline to frustrate opponents and the quality of Salah to punish a single lapse.
Rivals
Algeria. The 2009 World Cup qualifying saga between these two was the most dramatic โ and violent โ in African football history. Cairo still talks about it, and neither side has moved on.
Home Base
Egypt has won the Africa Cup of Nations more times than any other nation โ seven โ and Cairo's grounds are among the most hostile environments in African football. The derby between Ahly and Zamalek is one of the world's great club rivalries, drawing crowds who treat the result as a matter of genuine existential importance.
Human Rights
Freedom House
Political rights and civil liberties score (higher = more free)
Reporters Without Borders
Press Freedom Index ranking (lower = more free, out of 180 countries)
UN Human Development Index
Human Development Index score (higher = more developed, 0โ1 scale)
Transparency International
Perceived public sector corruption โ higher is cleaner
ILGA World
Legal status of same-sex relationships