This fixture pits the leaders of Group A, Egypt, against the bottom-placed side, Djibouti. For Egypt, this is a defining moment: a victory here will officially secure their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a triumphant start to Hossam Hassan’s managerial tenure.
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Date | Wednesday, October 8, 2025 |
Kick-off | 19:00 EAT (Cairo Time) / 16:00 UTC |
Venue | Stade Larbi Zaouli, Casablanca, Morocco (Neutral venue for Djibouti) |
Competition | FIFA World Cup CAF Qualification 2026, Group A |
Group A Standings (After 8 Matches)
Egypt has enjoyed a dominant campaign, building a significant lead over the chasing pack. Djibouti remains winless and mathematically eliminated, but will be looking to earn a respectable result at home.
# | Team | Pts | P | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Egypt | 20 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | +14 |
2 | Burkina Faso | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | +12 |
3 | Sierra Leone | 12 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | +2 |
4 | Guinea-Bissau | 10 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
5 | Ethiopia | 6 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -4 |
6 | Djibouti | 1 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -24 |
Note: A win for Egypt (3 points) would take them to 23 points, an insurmountable lead over Burkina Faso (max 21 points).
Team Analysis
Djibouti (The Shoremen of the Red Sea)
Form (L-L-L-L-D-L): Djibouti has struggled severely throughout the qualification process, conceding 28 goals and scoring only four, leading to a group-worst goal difference of -24. Their solitary point came in a hard-fought draw against Ethiopia in June 2024. Their recent form is marked by heavy defeats, including a loss to Burkina Faso and a loss to Guinea-Bissau.
Tactical Approach: Expect Djibouti, under coach Ghouled, to adopt a highly defensive posture, likely employing a compact or formation. Their primary goal will be to limit damage and frustrate the Egyptian attack, relying almost entirely on set pieces or rare counter-attacks led by their determined forward line, potentially featuring players like Doualeh Mahamoud Elabeh.
Egypt (The Pharaohs)
Form (W-W-D-W-W-D): Egypt is enjoying an impressive run of form and remains unbeaten in the group. They boast the joint-best defense in the group, having conceded only two goals in eight matches. Key recent results include a victory over Burkina Faso and a vital draw against Guinea-Bissau in their previous two qualifiers.
Key Players & Strength: The squad is led by captain Mohamed Salah (Liverpool FC), who remains the chief threat with his pace and clinical finishing. He is supported by key figures like playmaker Trézéguet and goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy who provides incredible stability at the back. Coach Hossam Hassan will demand attacking fluency and precision to quickly break down the deep-lying Djibouti defense.
Tactical Approach: Egypt will dominate possession and territory, likely using a or shape that allows their wing-backs and wide forwards to stretch the pitch. The focus will be on quick combinations and exploiting the channels between Djibouti's central defenders and full-backs.
Head-to-Head (H2H) Record
The historical dominance of Egypt is absolute.
Competition | Result |
|---|---|
2023 WC Qualifier | Egypt Djibouti |
2008 WC Qualifier | Egypt Djibouti |
2008 WC Qualifier | Djibouti Egypt |
Total | Egypt has won all 3 previous meetings without conceding a goal. |
Prediction
Given the monumental disparity in form, quality, squad depth, and historical precedent, the expectation is for a comfortable victory for the Pharaohs. Egypt's motivation is sky-high—qualification is within their grasp—and they are unlikely to show complacency. Djibouti's priority will be damage limitation.
Predicted Scoreline: Djibouti Egypt (Egypt to win and secure qualification.)
