The Egyptian Football Association officially announced the firing of national team coach Hossam Hassan and the appointment of Ali Maher as his replacement. The dramatic decision to terminate his contract follows a chain of off-field events that eroded confidence in the system and among the public.
🚨 OFFICIAL! HOSSAM HASSAN HAS BEEN SACKED AS NATIONAL TEAM COACH! ❌👋🏼🇪🇬
Despite a historic run at the 2026 World Cup, the Egyptian coach will have lost the support of his dressing room through disrespectful and ill-judged remarks. https://t.co/P0zuzmgvSt
— Onze Masr 🇪🇬🇬🇧 (@Onzemasr_EN) November 7, 2026
The main reason that accelerated Hassan’s firing involves a particularly embarrassing incident at the Porto Marina complex, where a violent confrontation and mass brawl erupted between his two wives (current and former). During the fight, in which both women sustained minor injuries, Hassan collapsed on the grass trying to intervene, and the entire incident was recorded and went viral. Following the affair and public uproar, Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation imposed a media ban on him.
Hassan grabbed global sports headlines during the World Cup when his political leanings and on-field conduct sparked international controversy. After his team’s victory in the Round of 32, the Egyptian coach waved the ‘PLO’ flag—a move that led to a three-match suspension from FIFA.
The combination of FIFA disciplinary penalties, the publication ban from Egypt’s media council, and the humiliating family incident made Hassan’s continued tenure impossible. The Egyptian Football Association realized the coach had lost the moral and professional authority to lead the national team and decided to cut ties immediately to prevent further damage to its image.