Egypt will look to strengthen their grip on Group A in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers when they face Ethiopia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on *Friday, March 21. The match is set to kick off at *11:00 PM CAT.
Egypt in Control of Group A
Egypt’s defender #05 Ramy Rabia celebrates with Egypt’s head coach Hossam Hassan after scoring his team’s first goal during the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C qualifying match between Egypt and Cape Verde at the Cairo International Stadium on September 6, 2024. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)
The Pharaohs have dominated their qualification campaign so far, collecting 10 points from a possible 12 in their first four matches. This strong start has put them in pole position to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Their only setback came in their *last qualifier in June 2023, when they were **held to a 1-1 draw by Guinea-Bissau. Despite that slip, coach Hossam Hassan remains confident in his team’s ability to seal qualification.
“The morale in the national team is high, which will help new players adapt quickly and perform well. Egypt is full of talent. “Our first priority is qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. We are no less than other nations, and we have what it takes to achieve what Morocco did in the last World Cup.”
CAIRO, EGYPT – NOVEMBER 19: Hossam Hassan, the technical director of the Egyptian national team, during the Egypt vs Botswana Africa Cup of Nations qualification match on November 19, 2024 in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo by Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)
Ethiopia Still Seeking First Win
Ethiopia have struggled in the qualifiers so far and currently sit second from bottom in Group A without a single win. However, they showed signs of resilience in June 2023, earning back-to-back draws—0-0 against Guinea-Bissau and 1-1 away to Djibouti.
The Walia Ibex were last in full international action during the *AFCON qualifiers in November 2023, where they lost to *Tanzania but claimed a morale-boosting win over DR Congo.
Head-to-Head History & Past Meetings
Egypt and Ethiopia share a long history in African football, having met 18 times since their first encounter in *1957. The *Pharaohs have dominated with *12 wins, while Ethiopia have claimed just *three victories, and three matches have ended in draws.
Egypt supporters wave national flags as they cheer during the 2022 Qatar World Cup African Qualifiers football match between Egypt and Senegal at Cairo International Stadium in the Egyptian capital on March 25, 2022. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)
What’s at Stake?
Egypt will be determined to maintain their unbeaten record and take another step toward securing a 2026 World Cup spot. Meanwhile, Ethiopia will be desperate for their *first win in Group A, knowing that a *positive result could revive their qualification hopes.
