Cairo, Egypt — In the hours before a historic day for millions of Egyptians, the scene is set across the country: flags flutter over cars and balconies, patriotic songs blare from loudspeakers, and cafes are transformed into mini stadiums.And from public transport to workplaces and markets, every conversation is centred around one question: Will the Pharaohs continue their historic World Cup run when they play against Argentina?Egypt face the reigning world champions in a round-of-16 fixture in Atlanta, United States, on Tuesday. But the match is no longer a mere football contest – it has become a national event that transcends the boundaries of the football pitch.The national team has restored hope by reaching the tournament’s knockouts for the first time and has opened the door to a long-awaited dream of competing alongside football’s giants.The match holds deeper meaning for fans following Egyptian head coach Hossam Hassan’s passionate show of support for Palestine in the aftermath of his team’s win over Australia in their round-of-32 match on Friday.Israeli media were quick to attack the Egyptian coach and team, and Israeli influencers called for their compatriots to support Argentina against Egypt.Hope, belief and pride in CairoA day before kickoff, Egyptian cafes hosted heated debates, and locals travelling on public transport exchanged tactics, predictions and a …
