Egypt celebrated a 2018 World Cup Qualification for the first time since 1990 after the national team, the Pharaohs, beat Congo 2-1 on Sunday, 8 October. The Pharaohs are seven-time African champions and have won their continental tournament four times since the last playing at a World Cup.

Mass celebrations erupted across the country after star player Mohamed Salah scored a dramatic 95th-minute penalty to seal the Pharaoh’s qualification for Russia 2018.

Following the game, President El Sisi expressed “his happiness for the Egyptian national team’s achievement, thanking the players and technical staff for their great efforts during the World Cup qualifiers,” according to a statement from the president’s office. President El Sisi stated that the players and technical staff members set an example to follow with their determination, adding that he anticipates more success from the players in the future.