FIFA WC 2026: Egypt return to Spokane after security refuses stay in Seattle, says team manager
Vancouver, June 22
The Egyptian national football team's plans to set up camp in Seattle have been derailed after local security authorities refused the team's request to stay in the city following their World Cup clash against New Zealand.
The team will now be forced to alter their travel logistics and return to the city of Spokane, team manager Ibrahim Hassan said on Monday.
"The security authorities refused the team's request to stay in the city of Seattle as planned after the New Zealand match in the World Cup, and therefore the team's delegation will return to the city of Spokane," Ibrahim said as quoted by the Egyptian Football Association.
According to Hassan, the technical staff had initially adjusted their itinerary to fly directly from Vancouver to Seattle on Monday right after their 3-1 victory over New Zealand. The move was intended to avoid unnecessary travel and spare the squad from mounting fatigue ahead of their decisive final Group G encounter against Iran on June 27 (IST) at the Seattle Stadium.
"The team had wanted to travel directly to Seattle to preserve the players from travel fatigue due to the numerous trips in preparation for the Iran match on June 26, but following the security stance, the Egypt national team delegation will return to Spokane," he added.
As per the original schedule, the Pharaohs were supposed to return from Canada to Spokane before heading to Seattle on June 25 (IST). However, the technical staff decided to head straight to Seattle to spare players additional travel and allow for better preparation for the decisive group-stage encounter.
Goals from Mostafa Zico, Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet saw Egypt create history as they came from behind to beat New Zealand 3-1 and claim their first FIFA World Cup victory since making their debut 92 years and 25 days ago.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who follows international football, this seems like a poor logistical decision by the Egyptian management. Why change plans at the last minute without clearing security protocols first? Now they'll be jet-lagged AND mentally distracted.
Great victory by Egypt though! 🏆 Coming back from a goal down against New Zealand shows real character. But this travel drama is unnecessary - Spokane to Seattle isn't that far. Hope they don't use this as an excuse if they lose to Iran.
Typical FIFA bureaucracy at work. Security authorities should have been more accommodating for a team that just made World Cup history. But then again, after 92 years, a few extra hours of travel won't break their spirit. Inshallah they'll qualify.
Spokane to Seattle is like Mumbai to Pune - easy drive. But still, they should have planned better. The technical staff messed up by assuming they could bypass security. Hope Salah's presence keeps the team focused despite this distraction.
As a neutral fan, this is just poor management. You don't change travel plans for a World Cup match without verifying security clearances first. Now they've created unnecessary stress. But credit to the players - that comeback was brilliant! 💪⚽
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