FIFA Arab Cup: Egypt eliminated after defeat to Jordan

Egypt crashed out at the group stage of the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup on Tuesday following an 0-3 defeat to Group C winners Jordan.

The Pharaohs created plenty of opportunities during their time in Qatar but Tuesday’s loss was the final straw in a tournament performance characterized by poor starts and disappointing finishing. Across their three matches, the North Africans were arguably more dangerous than all of their opponents in each match but only managed to collect two points.

It was more of the same on Tuesday, with the Pharaohs falling behind inside twenty minutes when Jordan defender Mohammad Abu Hasheesh reacted quickest to finish from a deflected effort. Panic set in for the Egypt side when a sharp attack down the right wing ended with former Esperance de Tunis attacker Sharara’s excellent curled effort in the 41st minute.

Down 0-2 at halftime, the 7-time Africa Cup of Nations winners continued to create danger for the Jordanian defense but did not have any goals to show for their efforts. Jordan completed the victory late on with a penalty kick from Ali Olwan, solidifying their status as a team to watch in this tournament after qualifying for their first-ever World Cup finals appearance at the upcoming 2026 edition.

In the other match from Group C, United Arab Emirates advanced as group runners-up following a 3-1 victory over Kuwait. The Pharaohs will now turn their attention to the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they will compete with a different squad that features their European-based stars like Mohamed Salah.