Egyptian Football Culture: Hotter Than the Pyramids (17)

 

The Passion and World Cup Stories of

Egyptians, As I Experienced Them

When people think of Egypt, most immediately imagine the Pyramids and the Sphinx.

Before I visited, I also had a strong image of Egypt as a land of ancient ruins and deserts.

 

However, the Egypt I met in person was a bit different from what I had imagined. Most of all, I was impressed by the warmth and vitality of the people.

 

The streets were always busy with people coming and going, and in the evening, it was easy to see families and friends gathered together, drinking tea and sharing conversations.

 

As a traveler, the Egypt I felt was a much more affectionate and livable country than I had expected. And, football was always part of their lives.

 

 

image: Pyramids

 

 

Egypt, A Country of Thousand-Year Civilization

Egypt is one of the countries with the oldest civilizations in the world. The pyramids and temples built during the age of the ancient Pharaohs still attract tourists from all over the world today.

 

The Nile River has also been the river of life that has developed Egyptian civilization for thousands of years. Yet, another force that moves Egypt today is football.

 

 

 

The Egyptians I Saw

What I remember most from traveling through Egypt was the people's way of life. They work busily in markets and streets during the day, and in the evening, families and friends gather to drink tea and share stories.

 

The outdoor cafes are full of people, and the sound of laughter never ceases. In some places, they watch television and discuss football; in others, they pass the time playing cards.

 

Seeing this, I felt that Egyptians have a strong sense of community and value people deeply.

 

A Country Where Soccer Balls Roll Through Every Alley

 

In Egypt, football is more than just a sport. Whether you go to school playgrounds, vacant lots, or alleyways, children are playing football everywhere.

 

A game starts with just one old ball. Everyone loves football, regardless of whether they live in rich or poor areas. Therefore, football has become the most powerful culture that connects the Egyptian people as one.

 

image: The Nile River

Pride as an African Football Powerhouse

 

The Egypt national football team is one of the most successful teams in African football history. They have represented African football for a long time and have achieved excellent results in numerous international tournaments.

 

The Egyptian people consider national team matches not just as sports events, but as games where national honor is at stake. That is why the whole country is buzzing on the days of national team matches.

 

Egyptian Hero, Mohamed Salah

image: Koshari food

 

The first player who comes to mind when talking about Egyptian football is, of course, Mohamed Salah. Growing up in a small rural village, he became one of the best players in the world.

 

He became a global star with his fast speed and outstanding goal-scoring ability, and he remains an idol to countless Egyptian children today.

 

It is not difficult to see young children playing football wearing jerseys with Salah’s name on them.

 

The Rivalry That Shakes Cairo

 

In the capital, Cairo, there are prestigious clubs with passionate fans. Representative teams include Al Ahly SC and Zamalek SC. On the day of a match between these two teams, the entire city of Cairo is filled with talk of football.

 

Fans wear the jerseys of the team they support, laughing and crying depending on the match results, pouring out their passion.

 

When the World Cup Opens, the Whole Country Becomes One

 

The biggest dream of the Egyptian people is to achieve great results on the World Cup stage. On the days of World Cup qualifying matches, every cafe is packed with people, and national flags are hung everywhere on the streets.

 

Tension flows even before the match begins, and the moment a goal is scored, a massive roar erupts. The sound of car horns echoes throughout the city, and people embrace each other to share their joy.

 

For that moment, all Egyptians become one.

 

Food Culture Enjoyed with Football

Egyptians enjoy delicious food while watching football. The representative national dish is Koshari. It is a dish made by mixing rice, pasta, lentils, and tomato sauce, and many people enjoy it.

 

Also, the culture of drinking tea and coffee while watching football with friends is very well-developed.

The Real Egypt That Travelers Meet

Many tourists leave after seeing only the pyramids and museums. However, the true charm of Egypt that I experienced myself was the people.

 

I was impressed by how kind, affectionate, and family-like they treated each other. In particular, the passion of the people I met on the streets and in cafes on days with football matches still remains in my memory.

 

Amidst their cheers and laughter, I was able to understand, at least a little, why Egyptians love football.

Closing

The pyramids show the brilliant past of Egypt. However, football shows the passion and hope of the Egyptians living today. The Egyptians I met were warm and vibrant. And there was always football in their lives.

 

The sight of the whole country becoming one to cheer whenever the World Cup opens was a passion that does not fall behind any other country in the world.

 

Therefore, I would like to say that Egypt is not just a country of pyramids, but a country of people who dream, laugh, and live together through football.

 

Source: https://blog30903.tistory.com/126 [blog30903's Blog: Tistory]

 

image: traditional market.in Cairo