We have 26 Messis: Egypt assistant coach sends bold message ahead of Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash
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Egypt are ready to face Argentina in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
A member of Egypt’s coaching staff made it plain that the Pharaohs don’t fear Lionel Messi. He voiced complete faith in the team’s potential ahead of the Round of 16 clash.
The anticipation of Argentina’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 encounter against Egypt accelerated following statements made by the African team’s assistant coach, Ibrahim Hassan.
Working with head coach Hossam Hassan, Ibrahim voiced optimism in his team’s chances against the defending world champions. His comments soon spread on social media.
Hassan told Egyptian news outlet Sada Al-Balad that Egypt are approaching the encounter with an emphasis on their own capabilities rather than Lionel Messi’s.
Also read: Will Lionel Messi play tonight for Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16?
Assistant coach motivated ahead of the clash against Lionel Messi & co.
When asked about facing Argentina’s captain, Ibrahim Hassan gave one of the tournament’s most talked-about remarks.
“We aren’t focusing on Messi,” he said. “We tell the players to go out there, play their game and block out the stature of who they are up against. They might have Messi, but we have Mohamed Salah – and we have 26 Messis of our own.”
The assistant coach noted that Egypt’s players are focused on their individual performance, highlighting Mohamed Salah’s leadership and the squad’s collective conviction.
Among his words, one struck out in particular: he claimed Argentina had Lionel Messi, whereas Egypt have Mohamed Salah and “26 Messis,” indicating the confidence he feels prevails across the Egyptian side.
Regardless of pre-match criticism, Egypt enters the knockout stage having had the most successful World Cup run in the country’s history.
The Pharaohs moved past the group stage for the first time, placing second in their group and defeating Australia to reach the round of 16. These results have given the squad confidence that it can compete with some of the world’s best national teams.
When will Egypt and Argentina face each other?
They will face each other tonight at 9:30 pm IST.
Will Messi play?
Yes, he will play.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.