Egypt Stars Carry Legendary Football Names Into World Cup

Cairo: (Web Desk) Several members of Egypt’s national football team are set to bring famous names from World Cup history back into the spotlight at the 2026 tournament, though this time the names will appear on Egyptian jerseys rather than those of the original legends.

Among them is Mahmoud Hassan, widely known as “Trezeguet”, who represents Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly. The winger earned the nickname during his youth career after coaches noticed similarities between his style of play and former French star David Trezeguet. Known for his aerial ability and goal-scoring instincts, Hassan has carried the name throughout his professional career and is now preparing for his second World Cup appearance after featuring in Russia 2018.

Brazilian football legends have also inspired nicknames within the Egyptian squad. Midfielder Mostafa Abdel-Raouf, commonly called “Zico”, inherited the nickname from his older brother and has retained it throughout his football journey. The Pyramids FC player recently marked his international debut with a goal in a friendly match against Russia and is expected to make his World Cup debut this year.

Another notable example is Nabil Emad, known as “Dunga”, after the former Brazil captain who led his country to World Cup glory in 1994. Emad earned the nickname early in his career due to his similar role and playing style in midfield. The 27-year-old currently plays for Saudi club Al-Najma and is participating in another major international tournament with Egypt.

Football’s Young Stars Ready for Global World Cup Spotlight

The tradition of assigning famous football nicknames remains deeply rooted in Egyptian football culture. Coaches and scouts have long given young players names associated with global stars based on their appearance, playing style or personality. Past examples include Karim Walid, nicknamed “Nedved”, Ahmed Ramadan, known as “Beckham”, and former Zamalek midfielder Youssef Ibrahim, who became widely recognized by the nickname “Obama”.

As Egypt prepares for the World Cup, these familiar football names are once again set to feature on the game’s biggest stage, carried by a new generation of players seeking to create their own legacy.