Hossam Hassan, Head Coach of Egypt, holds the flag of Palestine after the team's victory through the penalty shootout against Australia.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan raises Palestinian flag after historic World Cup win
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
The Egyptian national football team secured its first-ever progression to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
On Friday in Dallas, Texas, Egypt defeated Australia 1-1 after extra time, prevailing 4-2 in a penalty shootout during the Round of 32 knockout stage.
The match remained tightly contested throughout regulation and extra time.
Australia posed early threats, including a shot from Cristian Volpato that struck the crossbar and another effort by Jordan Bos that was thwarted by Egyptian defender Rami Rabia.
Egypt’s resilience ultimately led to the decisive penalty success, marking a significant milestone after advancing from the group stage, also for the first time ever.
Head coach Hossam Hassan, a prominent figure in Egyptian football, led the celebrations on the pitch. Following the final whistle, he displayed the Palestinian flag.
In post-match remarks, Hassan dedicated the victory to both the Egyptian people and the Palestinian people.
He stated, “My heart and soul are with them,” and offered prayers for “God [to] have mercy on their martyrs.”
He further added, “I dedicate this victory to the Egyptian people and to the good and generous Palestinian people.”
It occurred against the backdrop of Egypt’s strong group-stage performance, which included notable results and fan displays of support featuring Palestinian symbols.
The win represents Egypt’s deepest run in World Cup history, surpassing previous group-stage exits.
The Pharaohs now prepare for the Round of 16, with expectations high for continued strong performances on the global stage.
