Egypt dismisses coach Hossam Hassan after media ban and controversies

Egypt's football association has terminated the contract of national team coach Hossam Hassan, citing concerns that recent developments have harmed the team's image and stability. The decision, announced on 8 November 2026, also affected his coaching staff.

Successor named amid off-field controversy

In a statement, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said it reviewed recent events and concluded they had a "negative impact on the positive image and stability" of the national team. The EFA added that "maintaining the stability of the team is a top priority."

Ali Maher, currently in charge of Ceramica Cleopatra, was appointed as Hassan's successor. The coaching change follows a period of mounting scrutiny around the coach's private life and on-field decisions.

The dismissal came just three days after the Supreme Council for Media Regulation in Egypt banned Hassan from appearing on media platforms as part of a case related to his personal life and that of his former wife. Local reports said Hassan's lawyers filed a complaint against his ex-wife, Dina Mostafa, publicly known as "Den Adam", accusing her of forging official documents and bigamy; her representatives have strongly denied those allegations.

Tensions were not confined to events off the pitch. In September, Egypt drew 0-0 at home with Angola in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying after Hassan substituted star forward Mohamed Salah in the 60th minute, a move that prompted sharp criticism. Salah subsequently left the national team camp. The EFA said he was avoiding artificial pitches and that he would miss the qualifying match against South Sudan later that month; Egypt still won that game 5-0.

Hassan's future had already been uncertain after the 2026 World Cup despite guiding Egypt to its best-ever finish at the tournament, reaching the round of 16.

Photo: FIFA World Cup Stats @alimo_philip (X)