Egypt: Pharaohs AFCON 2027 qualifiers schedule

Published on September 25, 2026

Seven-time champions Egypt are the most successful nation in Africa Cup of Nations history, and they begin their road to AFCON 2027 with high expectations. Led by captain Mohamed Salah and coach Hossam Hassan, the Pharaohs start their campaign at home against Angola. Group, fixtures, squad news, key players and qualification chances: here is everything you need to know.

Egypt's AFCON 2027 qualifying group

Egypt have been drawn in a group with:

Angola
Malawi
South Sudan

There is no host nation in this group, so the top two teams will qualify for the finals, which will be played from 19 June to 17 July 2027 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Pharaohs fixtures

Matchday 1: Egypt vs Angola, Friday 25 September 2026, Cairo International Stadium (7pm GMT)
Matchday 2: South Sudan vs Egypt, Tuesday 29 September 2026, Juba (1pm GMT, 3pm Cairo time)
Matchdays 3 and 4: double-header against Malawi, November 2026
Matchdays 5 and 6: against South Sudan and Angola, March 2027

Exact dates, venues and kick-off times for the November and March matches are still to be confirmed. The September window ends with a friendly against South Africa at the Cairo International Stadium on 4 October.

Hossam Hassan's squad

Head coach Hossam Hassan has named a 24-man squad that largely keeps the core of Egypt's 2026 World Cup team. Nine players based abroad were selected, headlined by the attacking duo of Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

The squad also features a new face: Al Ahly midfielder Ali Mahmoud earns his first call-up. Goalkeeper Abdel Aziz El-Belaouti returns to the set-up to cover for the injured Mohamed El-Shenawy.

Squad news

Egypt are without three players through injury:

Mohamed El-Shenawy, the experienced goalkeeper
Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet
Yasser Ibrahim

Midfielder Marwan Attia misses the Angola game only, serving a suspension picked up at the last AFCON in Morocco.

Key players to watch

Mohamed Salah, the captain and Egypt's all-time talisman
Omar Marmoush, one of the most dangerous attackers in African football
Emam Ashour, the creative force in midfield
Mohamed Abdelmonem, the leader of the defence
Mostafa Ziko, expected to support Salah in attack

Egypt's opponents

Angola: the main rival in the group, and a familiar opponent. The two sides met in the group stage of the last AFCON, where they played out a goalless draw. The Palancas Negras will be tough to break down, making the opening game in Cairo an important test.

South Sudan: the long trip to Juba just four days after the Angola game will require concentration, even if Egypt will be strong favourites.

Malawi: the Flames are Egypt's opponents in the November double-header, which could go a long way towards securing qualification.

Can Egypt qualify?

With their squad, their experience and their record in AFCON qualifying, Egypt are the clear favourites to win the group. With two tickets available, the Pharaohs have a comfortable margin, but they will want to finish first. A win against Angola at home would already give them a major advantage.

Egypt results

This section is updated after every match.

Matchday 1: Egypt vs Angola: 0 - 0
Matchday 2: South Sudan vs Egypt: to come

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