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With nine months to go until kick-off, the 2026 World Cup is already the subject of rumours and heated debate. Jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, this tournament promises to be a historic one, with its expanded format featuring 48 teams and 104 matches. Among the key issues is the qualification of African nations, including Egypt, which is attempting to regain the competitiveness it enjoyed in the 1990s. Against this backdrop, some media outlets have raised the unlikely scenario that a top-class player, such as Kylian Mbappé, might play a part in a foreign team’s campaign. Although this idea seems to have come out of nowhere, it perfectly illustrates the uncertainty and complexity of international qualification processes, where alliances, transfers or a player’s desire to play can lead to unexpected twists.
Egypt, African champions in 1957, have long been a benchmark in African football, thanks to iconic players such as Mohamed Aboutrika and Ahmed Hegazi. However, since their last World Cup qualification in 2018, the country has struggled to regain its former form. The 2026 qualifiers are taking place in a competitive group, featuring teams such as Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Algeria. In this context, every point counts, and matches against direct rivals could prove decisive for the teams’ fate. The fact that a player of Mbappé’s calibre – who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain and is the undisputed star of the French national team – would even consider helping another country to qualify raises questions once again about FIFA’s rules and the players’ motivations.
Egypt, African champions in 1957, have long been a benchmark in African football, thanks to iconic players such as Mohamed Aboutrika and Ahmed Hegazi.
FIFA’s rules allow players to declare their wish to play for another national team, provided they were not born in the country for which they wish to play or have not played more than two official matches for their former national team. Mbappé, who was born in France, has already represented his country on several occasions, which would make any possibility of a change of nationality extremely unlikely. However, scenarios such as player transfers between clubs or collaborations between national teams – even informal ones – are sometimes discussed in the media. They reflect a fascination with global football, where the boundaries between teams can seem more permeable than the rules suggest.
In reality, Egypt’s qualification for 2026 will depend on its ability to strengthen its squad, nurture young talent and adapt to developments in African football. Players such as Mohamed Salah, who is always portrayed as a mainstay of the national team, will play a key role, as will experienced defenders and promising young players. Football is a sport where miracles are possible, as past achievements have shown, but it also relies on organisation, team spirit and preparation. Whilst this could never be a realistic scenario, the idea of a Mbappé-style player crossing borders to join another project remains a pipe dream, yet it highlights the scale of expectations surrounding the upcoming record-breaking tournament.