Egypt Edges Ethiopia 2-0, Nears World Cup Qualification

Egypt secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Ethiopia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, strengthening their lead at the top of Group A with 19 points, five points clear of second-placed Burkina Faso. Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush each scored from the penalty spot, helping Egypt dominate the match at Cairo International Stadium. This win puts Egypt one step closer to qualification, needing only a draw against Burkina Faso in their next game to nearly secure a spot in the World Cup finals set to be held in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan highlighted the increasing competitiveness of African football due to many players gaining experience in top leagues abroad and stressed the importance of making Egyptian fans proud by qualifying for the World Cup for only the fourth time in history. Ethiopia now faces a tough challenge to recover, while Egypt is focused on maintaining their strong performance as they approach the final stages of qualification.