Egypt will aim to take a step closer to automatic qualification as they welcome Ethiopia to Cairo International Stadium for round seven of CAF’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Pharaohs are firmly in control of their fate, sitting five points clear at the summit of Group D, and they host opponents currently placed fourth in the standings.
For a side with such pedigree in African football, Egypt have not enjoyed the most consistent record of reaching the World Cup, with their appearances often separated by long gaps.
As the first African nation to grace the mundial, it took 56 years for the Pharaohs to return to the global stage after their debut in 1934, with their next showing coming in 2018.
The Pharaohs are now on course to make another return, having enjoyed an almost flawless run so far in the qualifiers, with five victories from six matches.
The only slip was a 1-1 draw away to Guinea-Bissau, which ended a three-match winning sequence, but Egypt responded with consecutive victories in the tournament.
Automatic qualification already looks out of reach given the 10-point gap to their hosts, while the five-point distance to second place is also a tall order, meaning Ethiopia, with six points, may simply be playing for pride in Cairo.
Egypt are overwhelming favourites to take all three points given their pedigree, their form in this qualifying campaign and the added boost of a passionate Cairo crowd, and anything short of victory would be seen as a shock.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
