Hosam Hassan's World Cup triumph is not just a victory for Egyptian football; it's also a testament to the country's president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, who has been credited with transforming Egyptian sport into a symbol of national pride. The Pharaohs' 3-1 win over New Zealand marked their first-ever World Cup success in 92 years, and Hassan described a congratulatory message from al-Sisi as the 'effect of magic', one that had inspired his team to victory.
As the Egyptian national football team prepares for its crucial World Cup clash against Australia, this sentiment highlights a worrying trend: the blurring of lines between sport and politics in Egypt. President al-Sisi has been at the helm since 2013, overseeing a crackdown on dissent and expanding security into various aspects of civilian life. Hosam Hassan's appointment as national coach followed a directive from al-Sisi in 2019 to prioritise domestic coaches. His rhetoric often places football in secondary position to expressions of loyalty to the state.
When foreign coach Rui Vitória was dismissed in early 2024, Hassan took over, reportedly turning down a penalty clause in his contract and stating he led the team out of 'national duty' rather than professional obligation. This allegiance to the state has been echoed by Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhy, who explicitly called for media not to criticise the national team's staff. The sentiment was shared by Hassan himself, who stated that 'success begins from the top of the pyramid and the officials of the state'.
Hassan's brother, Ibrahim, has also been involved in making political statements. The twin brothers have taken unusual steps to address criticism, including appointing a cassation court lawyer as their official legal spokesperson to pursue those spreading 'rumours' or 'sowing discord'. A formal complaint was filed with the Supreme Council for Media Regulation against a TV presenter for critical comments.