Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has revealed that a heartfelt half-time address fired up the Pharaohs to overturn a first-half deficit and beat New Zealand 3-1, keeping their FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout-stage ambitions well alive.

Egypt were trailing at the break in their Group G fixture, but three second-half goals turned the match on its head and delivered a crucial three points.

The words that changed everything

Hassan did not hold back when describing the message he gave his players in the dressing room. "At half-time, I told them we were not going back onto the pitch and then returning to the dressing room after the match unless we were winners," he said.

The coach reminded his squad of the weight of expectation resting on their shoulders. "We could not disappoint these people. We could not break the trust and joy of the Egyptian people after everything we have built over the last two years."

Hassan went further, speaking of his personal bond with the nation's supporters. "I kept telling the players throughout the last period that the Egyptian people deserve to be happy," he said. "They were in the stadium, they were watching in Egypt and everywhere else. Young and old, men and women, they all deserve joy and success. I love the Egyptian people very much and I thank them for their support."

Players respond with character

The former Pharaohs captain expressed pride in the way his players answered the call. "I am happy because the players responded and turned the result around in a positive way. Whatever the circumstances, we continue working until the last moment," Hassan added.

He also offered generous praise for the opposition, acknowledging that the result did not come easily. "It was not an easy match. New Zealand are a strong team with quality players, physically powerful and with an excellent coach. But the Egyptian players responded well on the pitch. We focused on ourselves and carried out our work."

Eyes on Iran and a historic milestone

Egypt now sit on four points from their opening two Group G matches. A place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage — which would be historic for the Pharaohs — is within reach heading into their final group game against Iran.