Egyptian FA Ends Hossam Hassan’s Tenure, Appoints Ali Maher as Successor
The Egyptian Football Association announced that it had ended the tenure of Hossam Hassan and his technical and administrative staff, appointing Ali Maher to coach the national team six days before its match against Malawi in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The association said the board made the decision after a meeting that began earlier in
The Egyptian Football Association announced that it had ended the tenure of Hossam Hassan and his technical and administrative staff, and appointed Ali Maher to coach the national team, six days before its match against Malawi in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The association said the decision was made by the board after a meeting that began earlier in the day, in accordance with the terms of the contract.
The association attributed the decision to recent events that it said had negatively affected the national team’s image and stability, without specifying the incidents in question. Maher was asked to submit a proposal naming his coaching staff. Earlier on Saturday, he had been coaching Ceramica Cleopatra and led the team to a 3-2 win over Abu Qir Fertilizers in the round of 32 of the Egypt Cup.
Egypt are scheduled to host Malawi at Cairo International Stadium on 13 November, with the return match to be played in Malawi four days later. The national team’s training camp begins on 9 November. Egypt top Group B with four points, ahead of Angola on goal difference, while Malawi have three points and South Sudan are bottom of the group with no points.
Maher has previously coached Al Assiouty, Smouha, ENPPI and Al Masry, and won the Egyptian League Cup with Future in 2022 and Ceramica in 2025. Hossam Hassan leaves his position after leading Egypt to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup and fourth place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. FIFA had suspended him and national team director Ibrahim Hassan for three matches over their comments following the defeat to Argentina at the World Cup.