Egypt warns Belgium: 'It's not just Salah — we're ready to surprise'
Coach Hossam Hassan has warned Belgium not to underestimate Egypt ahead of their World Cup 2026 clash against Seattle, insisting the team is more than just Mohamed Salah and ready to spring a surprise.
Hossam Hassan has warned not to underestimate Egypt when it comes to their first World Cup 2026 match against Belgium. According to the 59-year-old selector, his team is more than the star Mohamed Salah, and they are ready to deliver a surprise in the match that starts Monday, at 9:00 pm (Seattle).
"They have a very good team," Hassan said of Belgium in the pre-match press conference. "I don't need to explain how far they can go. They still have a lot of big names — and it's not just about Kevin De Bruyne."
Although he admitted that Mohamed Salah will remain important, Hassan insisted that 'Salah is not just Egypt'. "I have a lot of confidence in our players. Like Belgium they don't just revolve around De Bruyne or Romelu Lukaku — there is also Jérémy Doku and don't forget their goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. But they have to be careful with us too."
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://webp.vi.cdn.pxr.nl/news/2026/06/15/de9721ab4f7e089b685e5708ce515903a957c39c.jpg?width=1200" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>The coach added, even though it is only Egypt's fourth World Cup, they bring "new blood" and determination to make a mark. "Many will say that Belgium is the favorite in the group, but football is not a game of betting favorites," he said.
On Belgium's side, record international Jan Vertonghen said their group — along with Egypt, New Zealand, and Iran — should serve as an opportunity to set the pace of the campaign. "This group should give us a chance to grow in the tournament. Romelu (Lukaku) also needs to find a rhythm, as well as the new central defence," Vertonghen told Het Laatste Nieuws. For the match against Egypt, he chose a predicted 2-0 victory for the Rode Duivels.
Jérémy Doku will play in the opener against Egypt, but there is a possibility that he will not complete the entire campaign due to the impending birth of his first child. He has previously informed the Belgian FA that he wants to accompany his wife when she gives birth in London in early July. "I'm sure we will find a solution to not leave my wife. It depends on where, when, and how," Doku told Sporza. "The organization understands me and they will not abandon me; they know this is my first child and they are doing everything for me to witness it."
