{
  "id": 9727708,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T07:31:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "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-class footballers, led by Mohamed Salah, have gathered in Cairo for their nation's inaugural match after their impressive World Cup campaign. The Pharaohs will commence their journey back to the top of African football by facing Angola in a home Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday at the Cairo International Stadium. The team will then travel to Juba for a crucial match against South Sudan on Tuesday, September 29. A friendly game against South Africa in Cairo awaits them on October 4.\n\nThe upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, also known as Pamoja 2027, is set to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, and will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Egypt will be competing in Group B alongside Angola, South Sudan, and Malawi. The record-breaking seven-time African champions will kick off their qualifying campaign on Friday, aiming to reestablish their dominance on the continent. Following their World Cup heroics, Egypt seeks to regain its position as a football powerhouse, as stated by defender Mohamed Hany during a press conference.\n\nThe Egyptian Football Association (EFA) recently extended the contracts of twin brothers Hossam Hassan and Ibrahim Hassan, who serve as the head coach and team director for the national team, respectively, until 2030. The players were celebrated in a ceremony during the team's training camp, with Salah delivering a speech in honor of the twins, who have played a pivotal role in fostering a strong team spirit and bringing out the best in their fellow teammates.",
  "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": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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 Business",
        "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",
        "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."
}