{
  "id": 9724618,
  "title": "Egypt World Cup stars begin new chapter: Mohamed Salah and next generation target Afcon",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/egypt-world-cup-stars-begin-new-chapter-mohamed-salah-and-next",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T07:31:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/09/25/egypt-world-cup-stars-begin-new-chapter-mohamed-salah-and-next-generation-target-afcon/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Egypt's World Cup stars, led by Mohamed Salah, have returned to Cairo for their national team's first match since the tournament's last-16 run. The squad will begin their post-World Cup era with two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on home soil against Angola on Friday and South Sudan on Tuesday, September 29. A friendly game against South Africa is scheduled for October 4 in Cairo. Egypt is set to host the Africa Cup of Nations, dubbed Pamoja 2027, from June 19 to July 17, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The record seven-time African champions will kick off their qualifying campaign against Angola on Friday, aiming to reclaim their status as a football powerhouse on the continent. Egypt has not won the African competition since 2010 or reached the final since 2021. Egypt defender Mohamed Hany emphasized the importance of not retreating from their World Cup achievements, stating, \"We tackle each stage one by one, and our current goal is to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.\" Hossam Hassan, one of the Egyptian Football Association's newly extended contract players, expressed his delight at the team's optimism and the fans' support.",
  "summary": "Mohamed Salah and his fellow Egyptian national team members have reunited in Cairo for the Pharaohs’ first match since their historic run to the last-16 at the Fifa World Cup. First off for Egypt in their post-World Cup era are a pair of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, starting with a homecoming clash against Angola at Cairo International Stadium on Friday, before flying to Juba to take on…",
  "key_points": [
    "Mohamed Salah leads Egypt's national team post-World Cup.",
    "Egypt to face Angola and South Sudan in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.",
    "Egypt set to host Africa Cup of Nations (Pamoja 2027) from June 19 to July 17."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Egypt's World Cup stars, led by Mohamed Salah, aim to build on their tournament momentum by reclaiming their status as a football powerhouse on the continent through Africa Cup of Nations qualification.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Nation Africa",
        "title": "Harambee Stars in worst possible preps for 2027 Afcon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/harambee-stars-in-worst-possible-preps-for-2027-afcon",
        "published": "2026-09-25T03:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Egypt World Cup stars begin new chapter: Mohamed Salah and next generation target Afcon glory",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/egypt-world-cup-stars-begin-new-chapter-mohamed-salah-and-next-9727708",
        "published": "2026-09-25T07:31:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}