Egypt’s national football team is preparing to compete in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, with star forward Mohamed Salah arriving amid speculation about his future at Liverpool. Head coach Hossam Hassan affirmed on Sunday that Salah appears fully focused on the tournament, despite recent issues with his club manager. Egypt will begin their AFCON campaign on Monday against Zimbabwe in Agadir.
The Pharaohs are grouped with Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Angola, with all their Group B matches scheduled to take place in Agadir. This year’s tournament, hosted by Morocco, sees 24 nations vying for the coveted title, running from December 21, 2025, to February 11, 2026. Egypt aims for a record-extending eighth AFCON championship.
Mohamed Salah’s Focus on AFCON Despite Club Uncertainty
Hossam Hassan addressed concerns regarding Mohamed Salah’s recent form and relationship with Liverpool manager Arne Slot. Reports indicate Salah expressed dissatisfaction after being substituted during a Premier League match against Leeds United, and a potential transfer during the January window has been widely discussed. However, Hassan downplayed the situation, stating Salah’s morale within the national team environment is exceptionally high.
“Salah’s morale in training is very high, as if he were just starting out with the national team, and I believe he will have a great tournament with his country,” Hassan told reporters. He further emphasized Salah’s strong motivation and unwavering importance to the Egyptian squad, describing him as an “icon” and “one of the best players in the world.”
Recent Club Challenges
Prior to joining the national team, Salah did not feature in the starting lineup for five consecutive Liverpool games. This, coupled with the reported disagreement with Slot, fueled transfer rumors linking him to several major clubs. The circumstances suggest a complex situation at Anfield, although Hassan insists it doesn’t translate into a ‘crisis’ for the player.
Hassan explained he has been in regular communication with Salah, and a meeting upon the player’s arrival at the national team camp confirmed his full commitment to the AFCON. “His focus is entirely on the tournament,” the coach said, demonstrating confidence in his key player’s preparation.
Egypt’s AFCON History and Qualifying Success
Egypt has a storied history in the Africa Cup of Nations, having clinched the title a record seven times. However, recent successes have been limited, reaching the final in 2017 and 2022 but falling short on both occasions. This tournament presents another opportunity for Salah to secure his first continental title.
The national team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was significantly aided by Mohamed Salah’s consistent goal-scoring form. He has become pivotal in securing Egypt’s place on the international stage. Hassan believes Salah thrives in the national team setup, often elevating his performance when stepping away from club commitments. This pattern, Hassan hopes, will continue throughout the AFCON.
“Whenever Salah’s performances dip with his club, he regains his strength with the national team and becomes even better,” Hassan remarked. “He needs to win the cup by helping us and by helping himself.” This sentiment echoes the weight of expectations placed upon the Liverpool forward as Egypt embarks on its AFCON journey.
The coming weeks will determine whether Egypt can overcome its recent AFCON final disappointments. Much attention will be paid to how Mohamed Salah performs both individually and as a leader for the team. The outcome of the group stage and potential knockout fixtures will provide further insight into the team’s capabilities and Salah’s club future remains an open question, likely to develop further during and after the tournament.
