Egypt sack Hossam Hassan, name Ali Maher as new Pharaohs coach
Synopsis
Egypt have sacked Hossam Hassan — the man who delivered their first World Cup win in 92 years — and handed the reins to Ali Maher just days before a crucial AFCON 2027 double-header against Malawi. The timing is striking: Hassan leaves on a historic high, and his successor has less than a week to prepare.
Key Takeaways
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) sacked head coach Hossam Hassan and his full staff on 8 November 2026 .
Ali Maher , 52, has been appointed as the new Pharaohs head coach and asked to present his technical staff vision.
Hassan guided Egypt to fourth place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations , FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification , and the country's first World Cup win in 92 years — a 3-1 victory over New Zealand .
Maher's most recent role was at Ceramica Cleopatra , where he won the Egyptian League Cup in 2024/2025 .
Egypt face Malawi on 13 and 17 November in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers , leading Group B with 4 points .
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has terminated its contract with national team head coach Hossam Hassan and his entire technical and administrative staff, naming Ali Maher as the new head coach of the senior national team. The decision was announced on 8 November 2026 following a board meeting in Cairo.
EFA's Official Statement
In a formal statement, the EFA Board said it reached the decision after reviewing 'all the circumstances and events that have unfolded recently, along with their negative impact on the national team's positive image and stability.' The board has also requested that Maher present his vision for the composition of a new technical staff. No specific incidents were cited publicly, leaving the precise triggers for the sacking open to interpretation.
Hassan's Legacy With the Pharaohs
Hossam Hassan, widely regarded as one of Egypt's greatest ever footballers, had been in charge of the Pharaohs since 2024. Under his tenure, Egypt finished fourth at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Most strikingly, Hassan oversaw Egypt's first victory at a FIFA World Cup in 92 years — a 3-1 group-stage win over New Zealand, with goals from Mostafa Zico, Mohamed Salah, and Trezeguet. The sacking therefore comes despite a historically significant run of results, adding an unusual dimension to what is otherwise a routine managerial change.
Who Is Ali Maher?
The incoming coach, Ali Maher, is 52 years old and brings considerable experience to the role, both as a former player and as a dugout manager in Egyptian club football. His most recent posting was with Ceramica Cleopatra, where he won the Egyptian League Cup in the 2024/2025 season. While that pedigree is relatively modest compared to international coaching roles, the EFA has prioritised stability and a fresh technical vision ahead of a critical fixtures window.
Immediate Challenge: AFCON Qualifiers Against Malawi
Maher takes charge at a pivotal moment. Egypt face Malawi on 13 November and 17 November in the third and fourth rounds of the qualifiers for the 2027 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations. The Pharaohs currently lead Group B with 4 points, following a win against South Sudan and a draw with Angola in the opening two rounds. Dropping points to Malawi would put Egypt's comfortable position at the top of the group under pressure and intensify scrutiny of the timing of the coaching change.
What Happens Next
Maher is expected to submit his proposed technical staff composition to the EFA board imminently, with the team needing to consolidate quickly ahead of the November double-header. How he handles the transition — and whether Egypt extend their lead at the top of Group B — will be an early test of whether the EFA's decision to change coaches mid-qualification was justified.
Point of View
Which is a transparency problem in itself. Appointing a domestic cup winner in Maher as a mid-qualification replacement carries real risk: the Pharaohs lead Group B, but that lead is not insurmountable, and a stumble against Malawi would look far worse in retrospect. The EFA may well have had legitimate reasons, but without stating them clearly, it invites the perception that institutional politics have trumped sporting merit.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Hossam Hassan sacked as Egypt coach?
The EFA cited unspecified 'circumstances and events' that had a negative impact on the national team's image and stability, without publicly detailing the precise reasons. Hassan was dismissed despite overseeing Egypt's qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and their first World Cup victory in 92 years.
Who is Ali Maher, Egypt's new coach?
Ali Maher is a 52-year-old Egyptian football coach with experience as both a player and manager in Egyptian club football. His most recent role was at Ceramica Cleopatra, where he won the Egyptian League Cup in the 2024/2025 season.
What was Hossam Hassan's record as Egypt coach?
Hassan coached Egypt from 2024, guiding them to fourth place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and a historic 3-1 group-stage win over New Zealand — Egypt's first World Cup victory in 92 years.
What are Egypt's upcoming fixtures under Ali Maher?
Egypt face Malawi on 13 November and 17 November 2026 in the third and fourth rounds of the 2027 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Egypt currently lead Group B with 4 points from two matches.
Where do Egypt stand in their AFCON 2027 qualifying group?
Egypt top Group B with 4 points, having won against South Sudan and drawn with Angola in the first two rounds of qualifying. The upcoming double-header against Malawi represents a key opportunity to extend that lead.
