Sports
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has dismissed national team coach Hossam Hassan and his coaching staff, citing concerns about the team’s image and stability following controversy over his private life.
Ali Maher, who coaches Egyptian club Ceramica Cleopatra, has been appointed as his successor.
In a statement on Saturday, the EFA said it had reviewed recent events and their “negative impact on the positive image and stability” of the national team. It added that “maintaining stability of the team is top priority”.
The decision came three days after Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation banned Hassan from appearing on media platforms over a case involving his former wife, Dina Mostafa, publicly known as Dan Adam. Local media reported that Hassan’s lawyers had filed a complaint accusing her of forging official documents and committing bigamy. Her representatives denied the allegations.
Hassan had also faced scrutiny over his decisions on the pitch. In September, he substituted Mohamed Salah in the 60th minute of a goalless home draw with Angola in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Salah subsequently left the national team camp. The EFA said the Trabzonspor forward would miss the qualifier against South Sudan because he avoids playing on artificial pitches. Egypt won that match 5–0.
Former Egypt forward Mido said in September that the situation had “gone out of control” and urged officials to intervene.
Hassan, a former Egypt striker, took charge in March 2024. He led the team to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup, the country’s best performance at the tournament, and to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, where Egypt ultimately finished fourth.
FIFA handed Hassan a three-match ban after he criticised the referee following Egypt’s World Cup knockout defeat by Argentina. He leaves the national team with 21 wins, 10 draws and seven defeats in 38 matches. Maher, 52, takes over ahead of Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi on November 13 and 17.
