El-Balad reports that Egypt’s backup goalkeeper, Mohamed El-Sayem, shared insights following the team’s 1-1 draw against Belgium in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. El-Sayem reflected on the Pharaohs’ performance and discussed the reasoning behind Mohamed Salah’s substitution during the match.
Egypt’s Strong Start in the 2026 World Cup
The Egyptian national team delivered a commendable performance against Belgium, earning a valuable point. El-Sayem stated, “We faced one of the strongest teams in the tournament. Although we aimed for victory, a draw can be a positive outcome in the early stages.”
He commended the team’s effort, emphasizing that all players executed their responsibilities well. Notably, he praised Mustafa Shobir for his exceptional performance.
Substitution of Mohamed Salah
When addressing the substitution of Mohamed Salah, El-Sayem remarked, “Salah is a great captain who consistently supports everyone in the team. However, we noticed signs of fatigue during the game, prompting the coaching staff to decide on his substitution.”
Aspiring for Further Success
El-Sayem expressed that the Egyptian team fears no opponent and is approaching the World Cup with ambition. “We are determined to play without fear against any team. Our objective is to top our group, and we believe we will achieve good results in the upcoming matches,” he stated.
He concluded by sharing optimism for the future, saying, “We hope to make our supporters proud. We aim to represent Egypt honorably in this prestigious tournament.”
