Published Date: 2025-05-12 20:20:08 Updated At: 2025-05-12 20:20:08

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, congratulated Egypt's U-20 football team after their historic qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, following their victory over Ghana in the quarterfinals, which took place today at the New Suez Stadium. This congratulations came after the team secured their qualification with a dramatic 5-4 win in a penalty shootout, marking their return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence since their last participation in the 2013 U-20 World Cup in Turkey.
The Minister's Message to the Players and Coaching Staff:
The Minister made a phone call to the players and coaching staff, expressing his pride in their achievement and emphasizing that the players rose to the occasion. He told them, "You were true men at the moment, and you made the Egyptian people happy with this historic qualification for the World Cup." He added that this qualification is a great victory that reflects the players' determination and will to succeed, expressing his immense happiness with the high level of performance they showcased during the tournament.

Emphasizing a Bright Future:
The Minister affirmed that the youth team represents the hope of the Egyptian people for a bright future in sports and is a strong foundation for achieving more success in future international competitions. He delivered a motivational message to the players, saying, "You are Egypt’s hope, and we will continue to support you to prepare this team for the upcoming 2028 Olympics." He also noted that this moment marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Egypt’s youth football team, with everyone looking forward to even more successes in the future.

Aiming for African Championship Glory:
The players promised the Egyptian people that they would aim to win the African Championship, confirming their determination to give their best in the upcoming matches. The Minister of Sports emphasized that the team has the necessary potential to win the title and expressed great optimism about the team's future in both the African championship and upcoming global competitions.

Qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile:
After today’s victory over Ghana, the youth team has secured qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, which is scheduled to take place from September 27 to October 19, 2025. The Minister expressed his pride in this major achievement, affirming that the Egyptian team is fully prepared to achieve medals and raise Egypt’s name in global competitions.

Role of the Coaching Staff:
The Minister extended his thanks to the coaching staff for their significant role in preparing the players and getting them ready for the decisive matches. He praised the training strategies adopted by the technical leadership to enhance the players' skills and secure important victories in the tournament.

In Conclusion:
In conclusion, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi affirmed that the entire Egyptian nation is proud of this qualification, and the national youth team deserves recognition and respect for their excellent performance and strong determination. The Minister wished the players success in the future, noting that there are many challenges ahead, but with their persistence and resolve, they will achieve even more accomplishments that will elevate Egyptian football on the international stage.