Egypt Wins Gulf U-17 Cup After Defeating UAE
Egypt secures the regional title in Qatar ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
1Tournament Victory in Doha
The Egyptian U-17 national team clinched the Gulf Cup title in Qatar after a decisive 3-1 victory against the United Arab Emirates. The final match, held at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, showcased Egypt's offensive dominance throughout the tournament, cementing their status as a rising force in regional youth football competitions.
2Decisive Final Match Performance
Khaled Abu Al-Rukab opened the scoring for Egypt in the 19th minute following an assist from captain Ahmed Safwat. Although the UAE equalized via a Bati Al-Junaibi penalty before halftime, Egypt regained control in the second half with goals from Mohamed Attia and substitute Khaled Moussa, securing the trophy with clinical finishing.
3Dominant Path to Final
Egypt maintained a perfect record during the group stages, securing victories against Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, and Iraq with significant goal margins. Their momentum continued into the semifinals, where they defeated China 4-0. This consistent performance demonstrated the squad's tactical depth and physical readiness for high-stakes international matches held in Qatar.
4UAE's Strong Tournament Run
The UAE team entered the final with five consecutive wins, having topped Group A with a perfect 12-point record. They secured narrow victories against Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and China before defeating Yemen in the semifinals. Despite their defensive resilience throughout the tournament, they were unable to contain Egypt's aggressive attacking strategy.
5World Cup Preparation Context
The Gulf Cup served as a vital preparation phase for the upcoming U-17 World Cup, which will also take place in Qatar from November 19 to December 13. Egypt has been drawn into Group A alongside hosts Qatar, Greece, and Panama, providing a challenging environment for the young squad to test their skills.
6CAF Awards Nominations Announced
Beyond youth success, Egyptian football received recognition as the Confederation of African Football announced its 2026 award nominees. Mahmoud Hassan 'Trezeguet' and Mohamed Shehata were shortlisted for the Best Player based in Africa award, reflecting their impactful contributions to their respective clubs, Al Ahly and Zamalek, during the previous competitive season.
7Coaching and Club Recognition
Hossam Hassan, head coach of the Egyptian national team, and Zamalek coach Moetamed Gamal were nominated for the Best Coach award. Additionally, Zamalek was named among the top ten clubs competing for the Best African Club title, highlighting the club's recent domestic league success and their deep run in the CAF Confederation Cup.
8Future Prospects and Awards
The recognition of young talents like Hamza Abdel Karim, who plays for Barcelona, underscores Egypt's growing influence in African football development. With the CAF awards ceremony scheduled for December 7 in Lagos, Nigeria, the nation looks to capitalize on its recent successes to further elevate its standing in continental and global football rankings.
Original article: Asharq Al-Awsat — Egypt Wins Gulf U-17 Cup After Defeating UAE