Preview: Egypt vs Ethiopia – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

Egypt will aim to take a step closer to automatic qualification as they welcome Ethiopia to Cairo International Stadium for round seven of CAF’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Pharaohs are firmly in control of their fate, sitting five points clear at the summit of Group D, and they host opponents currently placed fourth in the standings.

Match preview

For a side with such pedigree in African football, Egypt have not enjoyed the most consistent record of reaching the World Cup, with their appearances often separated by long gaps.

As the first African nation to grace the mundial, it took 56 years for the Pharaohs to return to the global stage after their debut in 1934, with their next showing coming in 2018.

The Pharaohs are now on course to make another return, having enjoyed an almost flawless run so far in the qualifiers, with five victories from six matches.

The only slip was a 1-1 draw away to Guinea-Bissau, which ended a three-match winning sequence, but Egypt responded with consecutive victories in the tournament.

Hossam Hassan’s men step back into competitive action after over five months, with their last fixtures being March’s qualifying doubleheader, where they beat Ethiopia 2-0 before edging Sierra Leone by a lone goal.

The Pharaohs have excelled at both ends, netting 14 times to lead their group in goals scored while conceding only twice, the fewest in Group D.

That defensive solidity makes Friday’s trip even more daunting for the visitors, who have failed to score in five of their six previous games against Egypt outside Ethiopian soil, losing on each of those occasions.

It must be noted, however, that the Walia Ibex have shown some cutting edge in this qualifying campaign, scoring seven, though their backline has been just as porous, letting in the same number.

Automatic qualification already looks out of reach given the 10-point gap to their hosts, while the five-point distance to second place is also a tall order, meaning Ethiopia, with six points, may simply be playing for pride in Cairo.

Mesay Teferi’s men arrive with some confidence after notching their first win of the campaign in March’s doubleheader, thrashing Djibouti 6-1, and they boosted momentum further with a 3-0 victory over DC United in August.

Egypt World Cup Qualifying – Africa form:

Egypt form (all competitions):

Ethiopia World Cup Qualifying – Africa form:

Ethiopia form (all competitions):

Team News

Head coach Hassan has made slight adjustments from March’s squad due to injuries, including a call-up for NBE Club defender Amr El Gazar to replace the sidelined Yasser Ibrahim.

Nice midfielder Mohamed Abdelmonem misses out with a long-term ACL injury, while Marwan Attia has been recalled after recovering from a hernia that kept him out of the start of the season.

The Pharaohs will once again be captained by Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who is nine goals shy of matching Hassan’s all-time scoring record for the national side.

Either Osama Faisal or Mostafa Mohamed is expected to lead the line, with Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush operating from the left and Salah from the right.

Ethiopia boss Teferi has named a 26-man squad, including goalkeeper Abubeker Nura who retained his place after featuring in the last qualifiers.

Bereket Desta and Abubeker Nassir both hit hat-tricks in the 6-1 win over Djibouti, though the former has not made the current squad.

Egypt possible starting lineup:

El Shenawy; Hani, Rabia, El Gazar, Trezeguet; Fathy, Attia; Salah, Sayed, Marmoush; M Mohamed

Ethiopia possible starting lineup:

Nura; James, Tekeste; Yusef; Desta, Wolde, Tunjo, Markneh, Kassaye; Worku, Gugsa

We say: Egypt 2-0 Ethiopia

Egypt are overwhelming favourites to take all three points given their pedigree, their form in this qualifying campaign and the added boost of a passionate Cairo crowd, and anything short of victory would be seen as a shock.

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