MARRIOTT BUZZ NO. 13 - 2018

31 record-breaking path towards becoming rapidly acknowledged as Egypt’s greatest ever player. Emerging from 3 grueling rounds of qualification, in arguably the most difficult of the continental qualification formats was no small feat. It was only barely accomplished with the sheer brilliance of a talisman like Salah, who shouldered the hopes of a nation, a burden that was never too great for him. One thing that is a certain departure from Egypt’s previous showings at the World Cup (and more broadly about the national team in general) is that this time its squad will be entering the competition with a relative and relevant pedigree of experience it has never enjoyed previously. The national team now boasts an impressive 19 of the 23-man squad plying their trade abroad, mostly in Europe. Egyptians are now represented in world-renowned clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal as well as reputable ones like Braga, Stoke and West Bromwich Albion. This level of foreign exposure for the national team is unprecedented and many have highlighted it as another crucial reason (after Salah of course) that Egypt managed to secure the ever-elusive qualification berth. Though most of the Pharaohs’ admirers are cautiously optimistic, it was to the pure delight (and perhaps surprise as well) of Egypt fans when superstar Neymar Jr. joined the growing chorus of Egypt- admirers and offered his two cents by singling out Egypt as one of his potential dark horses for the competition, a testament to the legitimacy of the national team’s progress in the build up to Russia. Although expectations will of course be tempered and realistic, Egypt did have the enviable luck of the draw on their side being grouped with Uruguay, Russia and Saudi Arabia. Egypt avoided a genuine top seed from Pot 1 after drawing hosts Russia who also happen to be, along with Saudi Arabia, the two lowest placed teams in the competition, according to the latest FIFA world ranking coefficients. Uruguay therefore remain the only categorically better team Egypt must face in the group stages, and Egyptian fans surely breathed a collective sigh of relief after the group stage draw in December, where simply saying things could have gone much worse would be a severe understatement. The Pharaohs are guaranteed a momentous showdown with either one of the Iberian heavyweights Spain or Portugal, should they progress. In a deserved twist of fate, veteran goalkeeper and national team legend Essam El Hadary will also have the chance to break the record for becoming the oldest player to ever feature in the tournament as he assumes his role between the sticks in manager Cupér’s starting eleven. As World Cup fever grips the nation, Salah and his fellow Pharaohs will soon descend on Russia to do battle on the most prestigious of stages. Legions of proud Egyptians across the world wait with baited breath for the greatest show on earth to begin, and this time we are not just amongst the spectators but amongst the stars. MAT C H V E NU E DATE TIME (LOCAL) EGYPT v Uruguay Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg 15 JUNE 2018 2:00pm Russia v EGYPT Krestovsky Stadium, St. Petersburg 19 JUNE 2018 8:00pm Saudi Arabia v EGYPT Volgograd Arena, Volgograd 25 JUNE 2018 4:00pm