Salah and Marmoush miss Egypt’s ‘100 Million Thanks’ celebration

Egypt’s national team stars, including captain Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, were absent from the post-World Cup 2026 celebration at Cairo Stadium, despite a massive fan turnout. The event, titled ‘100 Million Thanks,’ honored the Pharaohs’ World Cup campaign.

Egypt’s last match ended on July 7, 2026, with a 3-2 loss to Argentina. The team’s recent form stood at 1 win, 3 draws, and 1 loss (LDDWD) before that final game. The celebration mixed sports and entertainment, with singer Tamer Hosny performing as fans packed the stadium to honor the players.

Why did Salah and Marmoush skip the event?

Sources confirmed Salah’s absence was due to his return commitments to Liverpool after the tournament. Marmoush, meanwhile, was en route to Manchester City to prepare for the new Premier League season.

Also missing were goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, who opted out after his World Cup workload, and Hytham Hassan, who flew to Spain to rejoin Real Oviedo. The list also included Ramy Rabia (Al Ain, UAE), Hamdy Fathi (Al-Wakrah, Qatar), and Hamza Abdel Karim, who left for Barcelona training days earlier.

How did Egypt honor its World Cup heroes?

The ‘100 Million Thanks’ event at Cairo Stadium was organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to celebrate the national team’s World Cup run. Tamer Hosny performed hits like ‘Elly Kan Yeged,’ while officials praised the players’ resilience and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

The ceremony highlighted standout performances and the team’s ability to overcome tough opponents despite a tough group stage. Fans waved flags and chanted as the players received recognition for their efforts in the 2026 World Cup.

What’s next for the Pharaohs?

The absent stars are now focused on club duties: Salah returns to Liverpool, Marmoush to Manchester City, and El Shenawy to Al Ahly. The event capped a historic World Cup campaign, and the team is expected to regroup for upcoming qualifiers with an eye on stronger performances ahead.