Ethiopia Faces Egypt in Crucial World Cup Qualifier Showdown

CASABLANCA, Morocco — Ethiopia will clash with Egypt on Friday at Stade Larbi Zaouli in a pivotal World Cup qualifying match for the 2026 tournament. Both teams enter the match with different trajectories, making this encounter crucial for their aspirations.

The Walia Ibex, yet to secure a victory in their qualifying campaign, have only garnered three draws from their first four games, placing them towards the bottom of Group A. Ethiopia’s last match ended in a 1-1 draw against Djibouti in June 2024, and they are coming off a disappointing performance in the African Nations Championship qualifiers where they were defeated 4-1 on aggregate by Sudan. The team’s head coach, Teferi, is under pressure to deliver a positive outcome after his squad failed to qualify for two major tournaments recently.

On the other hand, Egypt enters the match riding a wave of confidence, having drawn their last World Cup qualifying game 1-1 against Guinea-Bissau, yet maintaining their top position in Group A with 10 points. The Pharaohs are looking to capitalize on their strong early performances in the qualifiers. They began their campaign with a stunning 6-0 victory over Djibouti and were victorious 2-0 against Sierra Leone shortly thereafter. Their recent setback in the African Cup of Nations saw them exit in the round of 16, leading to the departure of their former coach, but new leadership under Hassan has reignited their qualifying efforts.

Hassan’s men are four points clear at the top of their group and are eager to solidify their lead against an Ethiopia side that has historically struggled against them. “We need to perform at our best to secure a win in this match,” remarked Egypt’s star player Mohamed Salah, who has been a key figure in the qualifiers with a joint-leading five goals.

Despite Nigeria’s strong attacking capabilities and solid form, the neutral venue in Morocco may level the playing field for Ethiopia, which has been consistent in its defensive play. Ethiopia will be crucially reliant on its new players introduced by Teferi to turn their fortunes around. The squad, consisting of 24 players, features notable inclusions like goalkeeper Habtamu and forward Gugsa, who will be making significant contributions to the team’s efforts.

Egypt’s lineup will likely include familiar faces, but they will miss the services of key players due to strategic choices and injuries. Coach Hassan has praised his remaining squad, emphasizing their depth and skill as they aim to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup.

With both teams having much at stake, Friday’s match is set to be a thrilling encounter, showcasing their contrasting fortunes and history. For Ethiopia, it is a chance to revive their qualifying hopes, while for Egypt, it is an opportunity to extend their lead and strengthen their path to the 2026 World Cup.