Pharaohs look to maintain dominance of Group A

Egypt will look to keep up their dominance of Group A in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers when they face Ethiopia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on the evening of Friday, 21 March. Kick-off is at 11pm CAT.

MATCH BACKGROUND

Egypt have bossed Group A thus far, claiming 10 points from a possible 12 through the first four matchdays to put themselves on course for a place in North America next year.

The only points the Pharaohs have dropped were in their last match in this competition in June last year, being held 1-1 away to Guinea-Bissau.

Ethiopia, meanwhile, are placed second from bottom on the Group A log and have yet to claim a win. Yet the Walia Ibex put up two solid displays in June 2024, with a goalless stalemate in Bissau and a 1-1 draw away to Djibouti in Morocco.

Both teams were last in full international action in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers in November of last year, with Ethiopia losing to Tanzania and defeating DR Congo, while Egypt played out 1-1 draws with Cape Verde and Botswana.

WHAT THE TEAMS ARE SAYING

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan on his team’s form and priorities:

“The morale in the national team is high, which will help new players adapt quickly and perform well. Egypt is full of talent.

“Our first priority is qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Once we secure that, we’ll focus on performing well in the [2025 Afcon]. We are no less than other nations, and we have what it takes to achieve what Morocco did in the last World Cup.”

KEY PLAYERS

Ethiopia, Yared Bayeh

An experienced defender, Bayeh will look to help Ethiopia keep things tight at the back and build a foundation from which they can challenge Egypt in this clash. The Sidama Coffee centre-back needs to be at his best for the Walia Ibex to have a chance of upsetting the Pharaohs.

Egypt, Mohamed Salah

Undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, Salah has enjoyed a phenomenal season for Liverpool thus far in 2024-25, and has been on fire in this World Cup Qualifying campaign, scoring five goals to help the Pharaohs dominate Group A.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

In head-to-head stats, Ethiopia and Egypt have met in 18 matches dating back as far as 1957, with the Pharaohs claiming 12 wins compared to three for the Walia Ibex, while three games have been drawn.

The teams’ most recent meeting was an Afcon qualifier in September 2023 which Egypt won 1-0 in Cairo thanks to a goal from Mostafa Fathi.