Hossam Hassan Finalizes Defensive Line for Crucial Match Against Djibouti 🇪🇬🛡️
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has finalized his preparations for the upcoming clash against Djibouti, set to be played next Wednesday evening at the Grand Stade de Marrakech in Morocco. The match is part of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The national team enters the fixture with high ambitions, as the game represents a key step toward securing a place at the World Cup. The coaching staff aims to clinch qualification early and avoid late complications.

Key Defensive Quartet in the Coach’s Plans 🔄📋
Hossam Hassan has decided to shift away from the three-man backline used in the previous match against Burkina Faso and return to a four-man defense. The expected starting defenders are:

Mohamed Hany at right back, known for his physical readiness and international experience.

Rami Rabia and Yasser Ibrahim as the central defensive pairing, praised for their chemistry and defensive stability.

Mohamed Hamdy at left back, who has impressed both with the national team and his club Pyramids FC.

This setup is designed to create a balance between defensive solidity and attacking freedom, particularly allowing the full-backs to push forward and support wide play.

Tactical Shift After Previous Five-Man Defense 🔄🧠
In the last match against Burkina Faso, Hossam Hassan opted for a five-man backline to close down spaces against a physically strong and pacey opponent.
However, against Djibouti—a team with significantly less experience and quality—the coaching staff is expected to return to a classic 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. This tactical change aims to give the team more attacking fluidity while maintaining sufficient defensive cover.

Assessing the Opponent: Djibouti’s Weaknesses 🧐📉
Djibouti is considered one of the weakest sides in African football at present, both in terms of results and overall squad strength. Hossam Hassan is fully aware that this match presents an ideal opportunity not only to secure qualification but also to boost team morale and send a strong message to future opponents.
As a result, the coaching team has chosen not to adopt a cautious approach, instead instructing the full-backs to join the attack and exploit the space behind Djibouti’s defensive line.

A Step Toward Official World Cup Qualification 🌍🎯
Egypt currently tops their qualifying group with a strong points tally. A win in this match would be enough to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup, regardless of other group results.
Hossam Hassan hopes to conclude this stage of qualification without added pressure, allowing him to rotate the squad in upcoming fixtures, rest key players, and prepare for major challenges ahead—particularly the Africa Cup of Nations and the final World Cup qualifying rounds.

Strong Fan Support & a Historic Moment Await 🙌🇪🇬
Although the match will be played away from home, a large turnout of Egyptian expatriates and Arab fans in Morocco is expected to support the Pharaohs in the stands. The passionate atmosphere could provide an extra boost as Egypt looks to seal an important victory and edge closer to a historic World Cup appearance.