Egypt has won the AFCON seven times and is the most successful country in African football history.
The Pharaohs have a number of notable players who have made their mark in top leagues around the world, and although they have never made it past the group stages of a World Cup, their influence on world football is constantly growing.
Mohamed Salah will lead them in the US, Canada and Mexico in 2026, but is he the greatest Egyptian player of all time?
10
Wael Gomar
Known for his ferocious strength and perfect positioning, Wael Gomer has neutralized some of Africa’s best attackers without the need for fast pace or recovery tackles. He was good at reading the game.
His performances at Al Ahly were the main reason behind the club’s dominance in the 2000s, contributing to the winning of numerous Egyptian league titles and multiple CAF Champions League trophies.
On the international stage, Gomer was a key part of Egypt’s golden generation, playing a key role in the national team’s historic victories at the African Cup of Nations in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
His consistent performances over the years, including 114 appearances for the Pharaohs, have established him as one of the best defenders in African history.
9
Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan
Trezeguet has been one of Egypt’s most reliable performers in AFCON tournaments and World Cup matches, earning nearly 100 caps and scoring over 20 goals for his country.
His goals, tireless running and willingness to go back at AFCON 2019 made him an integral part of Egypt’s balance. Although not as world-famous as Salah, he has often been the perfect foil for the Liverpool legend and has had a respectable career with his own club.
The versatile forward, who starred in the Premier League with Aston Villa, has won the Egyptian Premier League once and the CAF Champions League twice.
8
Mahmoud El Gohari
Mahmoud El Gohaly made a solid contribution as a player, even though he did not play as many games as the other players on this list.
However, his international achievements are historic, with a coaching career spanning over 40 years and an overall influence on the identity of the Egyptian national team.
He led Egypt to AFCON glory and qualification for the 1990 World Cup, after 56 years away from the world’s premier competition, rebuilding confidence in the national team.
Few figures have shaped the structure and mentality of international football in Egypt more than El Gohary, who won five top-flight titles as a player and one as a manager.
7
Mohamed Elneny
Elneny’s importance is often underestimated, but his tactical discipline and leadership were crucial for Egypt in major tournaments. He played a key role in AFCON 2017 and 2021 and provided midfield stability as part of the 2018 World Cup squad.
Although Elneny rarely made headlines, Egypt often saw him perform better on the pitch, so it’s no wonder he won over 100 caps.
He also boasts the most decorated club career at the top level of any Egyptian player, winning the FA Cup with Arsenal and four Swiss League titles with FC Basel.
6
Mahmoud El Khatib
Although El Khatib’s international career began at a time when there were fewer global tournaments, his influence remains significant as he scored 24 goals in 54 appearances for the Pharaohs.
He excelled for the Egyptian national team and was named African Player of the Year in 1983, bringing widespread African recognition to Egyptian football.
His career at the club was remarkable, winning the Egyptian League’s Golden Boot twice and helping Al Ahly to an astonishing 10 top-flight titles.
5
Mohamed Aboutrika
Aboutrika was the creative center of Egypt during one of Egypt’s most successful periods internationally.
His intelligence, composure and ability to score decisive goals made him an integral part of the 2006 and 2008 AFCON campaigns, and he rivaled some of world football’s greatest stars on the international stage.
Aboutka’s ability to score iconic goals (38 goals in 100 caps to be exact) and connect the midfield into attacks with ease and composure in the midfield is unrivaled by any other Egyptian player in history.
4
Essam El Hadary
The international importance of Essam El Hadary cannot be overstated. He was the backbone of Egypt’s defense, which dominated in AFCON, and played a decisive role in several penalty shootouts.
El Hadary, who won four AFCON titles and later became the oldest player in World Cup history, was the national team’s psychological leader for 20 years, making an astonishing 159 appearances for his country.
His club career was also very successful, winning countless domestic trophies as one of Al Ahly’s greatest players ever.
3
Ahmed Hassan
Ahmed Hassan’s case is built almost entirely on his national team achievements, as opposed to club football.
He is Egypt’s most capped player and the emotional leader of the legendary team that won three consecutive AFCON titles from 2006 to 2010.
He scored important goals, controlled the battle in midfield and was in good shape both physically and mentally.
Few players in the history of African football have dominated international tournaments for as long as Ahmed Hassan, racking up an astonishing 184 caps and scoring 33 goals for his country.
2
Hossam Hassan
In terms of pure national team influence, Hossam Hassan is one of them. He is Egypt’s all-time top scorer and one of the all-time top scorers in international football, having scored 69 goals during his time as a pharaoh.
He played through generations, adapted to his game and remained a decisive force well into his 30s, winning a frankly ridiculous 14 league titles at club level, 13 of them with Egypt.
As a manager, he led his country to the 2026 World Cup, where he hopes to become the first Egyptian manager to lead a team past the group stage.
1
mohamed salah
Mohamed Salah remains number one even if he doesn’t hold an international title.
He is Egypt’s most important player in modern times, almost single-handedly leading the national team through multiple qualifying campaigns.
Salah led Egypt to the 2017 and 2021 AFCON finals and played a crucial role in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, ending a 28-year absence.
Although the Egyptian international failed to win any trophies at his peak, his goals, assists and insane trophy haul at elite club level made him the undisputed greatest player of all time, scoring over 60 goals in over 100 caps.
