Egypt forward Omar Marmoush has declared that the Pharaohs will head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with ambitions of competing for the title rather than merely making up the numbers.
The Manchester City attacker is expected to spearhead Egypt’s challenge at the expanded tournament, which gets underway across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 48 nations battling for football’s biggest prize.
Speaking to Manchester City magazine, Marmoush described playing at the World Cup as a dream come true but stressed that Egypt’s objectives extend far beyond participation.
“We will not be satisfied with just participating in the World Cup. We will compete for the title,” Marmoush said.
Egypt have been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand and Iran, with the North Africans facing a difficult task to progress from the group stage.
Despite acknowledging the quality of their opponents, Marmoush expressed confidence in Egypt’s ability to make a strong impact at the tournament. He revealed that the immediate focus is on advancing beyond the group stage before setting sights on greater achievements.
According to the forward, the squad is determined to approach the competition one match at a time while believing they have the quality to achieve something memorable on the global stage.
Marmoush also spoke passionately about his commitment to representing Egypt, explaining that he never seriously considered playing for another nation despite opportunities that may have arisen during his career.
“I felt a strong connection to my roots and I wanted to play for the Pharaohs,” he said.
The 27-year-old added that returning to Egypt always gives him a sense of belonging and pride, making every national team call-up a special experience.
Marmoush further highlighted the positive atmosphere within the Egyptian camp, praising the leadership of captain Mohamed Salah and emphasizing the importance of unity as the team prepares for the tournament.
With Egypt set to begin their World Cup campaign against Belgium, expectations are high that Marmoush will play a pivotal role as the seven-time African champions seek to make a deep run and enhance their reputation on football’s biggest stage.
