Egypt schedules surprise October friendly against Tanzania ahead of AFCON qualifiers

Egypt's national football team, under head coach Hossam Hassan, has announced a surprise friendly match against Tanzania on October 5 in Cairo. This fixture is a key component of the Pharaohs' preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The mid-autumn friendly comes after Egypt's initial qualifying matches against Angola and South Sudan. The technical staff plans to use the international window to evaluate player fitness, refine tactical approaches, and integrate emerging talent into the squad. This assessment is crucial ahead of subsequent qualifying rounds.

The team's preparatory camp is set to begin on September 17. Egypt will first host Angola at Cairo International Stadium on September 25, followed by an away match against South Sudan in Juba on September 29. The away fixture is considered a vital early test for securing maximum points.

Following the September matches, Egypt faces Malawi in two qualifying legs in November 2026. Their campaign concludes in March 2027 with return matches against South Sudan and Angola. The technical committee views the Tanzania friendly as a critical opportunity to finalize the core squad and ensure match readiness for the tournament.