Egypt Coach: ‘Argentina Have the Great Messi’ Ahead of World Cup Round of 16 Clash

Egypt Coach: ‘Argentina Have the Great Messi’ Ahead of World Cup Round of 16 Clash

July 8— Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has described his team’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against defending champions Argentina as a perfect opportunity to prove themselves on the world stage.

Egypt will face Argentina on Tuesday night in the knockout stage of the tournament, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.

Speaking ahead of the match, Hassan said the encounter presents a valuable chance for his players to demonstrate that they deserve to compete among the world’s best.

Egypt Coach: ‘Argentina Have the Great Messi’ Ahead of World Cup Round of 16 Clash

> “This is the World Cup. It’s a great opportunity to prove ourselves and show that we deserve to be here,” Hassan said.

The Egyptian coach also acknowledged the strength of the Argentine squad, highlighting Lionel Messi as one of the greatest players in football history.

> “Argentina have outstanding players. Of course, they have the great Messi, but we respect the entire Argentine team. This is football, and we cannot underestimate any opponent,” he said.

Hassan added that he has been preparing his players to focus on their own performance rather than being intimidated by the opponent’s reputation, jersey, or world ranking.

> “I have been working with my players to ensure they are ready, regardless of the color of the opponent’s jersey, their name, or their ranking,” he said.

Egypt Coach: ‘Argentina Have the Great Messi’ Ahead of World Cup Round of 16 Clash