Meet The Hassan Twins: 5 Things To Know About Egypt's Head Coach And His Brother, Who Is Director Of National Team

Last Updated:July 08, 2026, 17:12 IST

While Hossam oversees football matters as Egypt's head coach, Ibrahim works closely alongside him as team director.

Egypt’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign ended in dramatic fashion after a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the Round of 16 on Tuesday (July 7). Holding a comfortable 2-0 lead until the 78th minute, the Pharaohs looked destined for a famous victory before conceding three goals in the space of 14 minutes, allowing Argentina to complete a sensational comeback and book their place in the quarter-finals.

The dramatic collapse left Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan furious, with the former striker launching a scathing attack on FIFA and the match officials after the final whistle.

“I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today; we have suffered injustice," Hassan said.

He questioned several key refereeing decisions and alleged that Egypt were denied crucial VAR reviews during the contest.

“We haven’t seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play. A penalty was ruled out and was not even checked by VAR. A second goal was remarkably disallowed. There was not even a VAR check when we all saw the image of the shirt being pulled back," he added.

Hassan went a step further by accusing FIFA of favouring Argentina, claiming the officials were under pressure to ensure Lionel Messi remained in the tournament. His explosive remarks quickly went viral on social media, with fans and former players around the world debating the controversial officiating and many expressing support for Egypt’s grievances.

Who are Hossam Hassan and his twin brother Ibrahim?

Hossam Hassan is one of the greatest footballers in Egypt’s history.

The legendary striker enjoyed an international career spanning from 1984 to 2008, making a record 177 appearances for Egypt and scoring 69 goals. He remains the country’s all-time leading men’s international goalscorer and took charge of the national team as head coach in 2024.

His twin brother, Ibrahim Hassan, also enjoyed an outstanding international career. A dependable defender, Ibrahim represented Egypt in 131 matches between 1988 and 2002 and has been serving as the national team’s director alongside his brother.

The Hassan twins have shared an extraordinary football journey for more than four decades.

During their playing careers, they represented Egypt together on numerous occasions and were rarely willing to play apart. They reportedly turned down transfer offers from clubs that were interested in signing only one of them, insisting that they would continue their careers together.

Their bond has remained just as strong after retirement.

While Hossam oversees football matters as Egypt’s head coach, Ibrahim works closely alongside him as team director, making them one of international football’s most recognizable sibling partnerships. Their shared passion for Egyptian football and unwavering loyalty to one another.

About the Author

Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor

Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist at CNN-News18, where he has been covering cricket, football, and major sporting events from around the world since July 1, 2024. Driven by a passion for storytelli...Read More

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