"VAN" (Sports Desk - 23.05.2026) :: In football, some players are defined by stats, while others are defined by moments. Mahmoud Hassan 'Trezeguet' has made his name by always showing up when it matters most for Egypt, with goals and decisive touches, becoming one of the standout faces of the generation striving to restore the Pharaohs to their perceived rightful place on the continental and world stage.
Trezeguet’s journey began on the youth pitches of Al Ahly. He later played in Belgium, Türkiye, England and Qatar, before returning to his boyhood club in January 2025. Along the way, he overcame challenges and acquired the tactical know-how and experience needed to handle the pressure-cooker environment of professional football.
But it is his relationship with the Egyptian national team that remains the defining chapter of his story. He has earned more than 90 caps, scoring over 20 goals, and has evolved from a mercurial wide man into one of his country’s most influential players. The supporters have full faith in him, thanks to his ability to combine attacking menace with defensive discipline and an unwavering fighting spirit.
The 31-year-old winger’s name is forever tied to unforgettable moments, not least the iconic run that won the do-or-die penalty against Congo DR in 2018 qualifying, sending the Pharaohs back to the World Cup after a 28-year absence. Despite the heartbreak of missing out on a place at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ following a penalty shootout defeat to Senegal, Trezeguet has remained a towering presence for Egypt, cementing himself as a key attacker and on-field leader. True to form, he proved one of the team’s most potent weapons in their successful qualification campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Sitting down with FIFA ahead of the 2026 tournament in North America, Trezeguet reflected on his first World Cup, shared what it means to play alongside Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and spoke about Egypt’s ambitions at the finals.
What are your feelings when you think about the upcoming World Cup?
It’s a fantastic feeling, of course, and I hope I’m fortunate enough to be part of it. Playing in a tournament of this magnitude is every footballer’s dream – it’s the biggest stage in the world. For me, it’s a phenomenal feeling to be back again.
What goes through your mind when you look back on your experience in 2018?
Those are special memories. I was living my dream of playing at the World Cup. The results weren’t what we wanted, but it was a valuable experience from which I learned a lot. God willing, this next one will be far better than the last.
Egypt missed the 2022 World Cup. On a personal level, how difficult was that for you?
It was extremely difficult, because we came so close and then lost on penalties. It was painful – one of the toughest setbacks of my career. But we moved past it, and we hope to make our mark at the upcoming tournament.
You’ve been part of the national squad for many years, how has the journey been?
It’s a wonderful feeling to play for your country. When you represent Egypt, you’re representing 120 million people – an enormous responsibility. I’ve been with the national team for 13 years now, and I’ve played in every major tournament, from the Africa Cup of Nations to the World Cup. I hope to continue representing my country for as long as possible at the World Cup – at this edition, and beyond.
You’ve played alongside Mohamed Salah, how has being around him inspired you?
Mohamed Salah is a source of pride for all of us, and his record speaks for itself. He’s represented his country in the toughest league in the world, and as far as we’re concerned, he’s been the best player on the planet. He makes us stronger in any match, and we hope we can help him achieve his greatest ambitions.
A new generation has joined the Egypt squad. How do you balance the experience with those fresh faces?
Every single player we have is capable and a known quantity. As soon as you pull on the Egypt shirt, you have to shoulder the responsibility and conduct yourself like a senior player. We guide them and teach them the true value of this shirt. There are 120 million people who wish they were in your place, so you must honour that privilege.
What are Egypt’s strengths, and how far do you believe this side can go?
I think the players are well aware of what it means to be in the World Cup, especially after we missed out for nearly 30 years. But thank God, we’ve made it back. At this point, only Mohamed Salah, Mohamed El Shenawy and I are left from the previous generation. Our aim is to pass on our experience to the others so we can achieve something big. Honestly, our objective is to get through the group stage first and then go as far as possible, to raise Egypt’s flag high.
Cr-FIFA2026
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