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Road to World Cup 26 - Ep 26 - Egypt
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Join your hosts Nick Britten Ken Davies as we take the deepest of deep dives into everything related to the FIFA World Cup 2026 held in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
All the news, analysis and comment from every team, every qualification process and of course the tournament itself. The biggest festival of soccer in the world.
This week we go to the land of the Pharaoh’s and visit Egypt – with all it’s attacking prowess of Salah and Marmoush: who are they, who are the key players and how will they get on next year? Plus your World Cup news roundup, Kenny’s Quiz and much, much more.
Your weekly guide to the pinnacle of world soccer brought to you by Global Sports Podcast Network
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:00:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello wherever you are in the world and welcome to Road to World Cup 26 podcast. My name is Nick Britton. I'm joined as I always am by my esteemed colleague, the smartest man in his own brain ever to watch football, the beaver himself, Mr. Ken Davis. Hello, Ken. How are you?
00:00:32
Ken Davies
Good morning, Nick. I'm very well, actually. It's Saturday. It's got it's got a football-y feeling, but there's no Premier League games today, so we can properly focus on the World Cup, and I'm looking forward to it.
Focus on World Cup Instead of Premier League
00:00:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
We can properly focus on the World Cup. I'm off to see a World Cup game a little bit later on. I'm watching England versus Andorra.
00:00:46
Ken Davies
no Nil-nil.
00:00:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah see it It better not be.
00:00:52
Ken Davies
Nil-nil.
00:00:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
If it is...
00:00:54
Ken Davies
Nil-nil at half-time, guarantee it.
00:00:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, God. you somantic Just imagine it's going to be 0-0 at halftime and then, like, a score, Harry Kane will score in about 70 minutes.
00:01:04
Ken Davies
Yeah. Yeah.
00:01:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
By which time, I probably would have left. I'm not going to lie.
00:01:08
Ken Davies
Good luck on that one, mate.
00:01:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:01:09
Ken Davies
Good luck on that one
00:01:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, we hope. We hope for a goal fest. We're hoping after England got their backsides handed to them by Senegal last time out that Tuchel's going to give it a little bit more.
00:01:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Give a little bit more.
00:01:23
Ken Davies
Mm-hmm.
Egypt's World Cup Journey Begins
00:01:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
But as always, we are we're focusing on a team that has qualified for the World Cup. Today we're taking a trip to the land of the Pharaohs.
00:01:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know whether you were nodding your head along in improvement or just nodding along generally or just nodding off ah because it's early Saturday morning here. what so What do you think of that, Ken?
00:02:06
Ken Davies
Well, slightly nodding off because it's in it's too slow. for um i mean, we we've become quite expert, haven't we, in national anthems.
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:02:15
Ken Davies
It's just a bit slow. It sounds like the kind of ah record that you've put on that should be back in the old days on 45, you've put it on 33. That's all I'm saying.
00:02:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. Okay. Yeah, that's fair enough. That's fair enough. you are You are the judge of all things World Cup National Anthems.
00:02:33
Ken Davies
All thank you.
00:02:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So that's fine. So yesterday, of course, we are talking about ah Egypt or Mo Salah's Egypt, as I suppose we should call them.
World Cup Qualifications Update: South America and Africa
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they were playing there.
00:02:40
Ken Davies
omar mamouchi is egypt if you don't mind yeah
00:02:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, still Mo Salah's Egypt, I think. And as always, we're going to bring you a bit of the news. There's been loads of news just because last night there was just loads and loads of games going on.
00:02:49
Ken Davies
know not
00:02:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
this There's been quite a bit of shifting around in terms of World Cup qualification. Ken will bring you the history of Egypt in the World Cup and I'll look at five players as we always do. We'll see how they play.
00:03:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Post-bag today, we're going to talk about just the the mass of football. Now, ah those they well, for a start, we had an email in, this was a week or so ago, so we're just getting around to it today, around the amount of football, but it's actually been kind of exacerbated.
00:03:14
Ken Davies
Thank you.
00:03:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah in as much one of the French defenders was talking about this this week, just the just the sheer burnout that players are suffering. so we're going to talk about that a little bit later on and how it's going to affect the World Cup. We have, of course, everybody's favourite time of the week, Kenny's Quiz, coming up.
00:03:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Quiz all about Egypt today. And we'll close off with our predictions. How are Egypt going to get on? I'm interested very interested to see how yeah how you think Egypt's going to do, actually, Ken. So we'll come to that a little bit later on But for now, let's have your breaking news.
European Qualifications: Surprises and Victories
00:03:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
and all also Yeah, now there's a lot to go through here very, very quickly because there's loads of games yesterday.
00:04:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we'll start in Conmebol in South America if were away because... pretty much qualification was decided in one fell swoop yesterday. So Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay all qualified yesterday.
00:04:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's the automatic qualification to take and finish now. And that's it for Venezuela and Bolivia in terms of automatic qualification. And they're the two teams who are going to battle it out for the playoff spot.
00:04:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
It also means cheer.
00:04:42
Ken Davies
A few, few, because we did Paraguay, kind of on a limb.
00:04:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:46
Ken Davies
Like, we're doing a bit on a limb today, but they got through, so we were right.
00:04:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, to be fair. Yeah. When I said at the at the ah at the outset, we we're going to do teams who've already qualified. Of course, Egypt haven't already qualified, but we fully expect them to. ah So, yes. So goodbye, Peru and Paddington Bear.
00:05:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Goodbye.
00:05:04
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:05:05
Ken Davies
Could be us, 1978, stripy shirt.
00:05:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Goodbye to Chile.
00:05:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yes. It'll be another another four years, at least until we see them beat Scotland.
00:05:07
Ken Davies
stripy shirt
00:05:12
Ken Davies
Mm.
00:05:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And goodbye to Chile. Yeah.
00:05:15
Ken Davies
oh
00:05:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Goodbye to Chile as well. what ah What a sad time for Chileans this morning ah waking up. The World Cup dream is all over. But congratulations to those who have qualified. And top of a tree, worth noting here, is, of course, Argentina. Now, they won 3-0 last night.
00:05:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, no problem there. But notable for the fact that Lionel Messi scored twice on his last competitive game in Argentina for Argentina. And in doing so,
00:05:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's record ah in terms of all-time leading goal scorers in World Cup qualifying so in on 36. So Messi went in on 34, Ronaldo's in on 36.
00:05:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they are now both on 36, but they're only in second place.
00:06:00
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:06:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're only second place because the record still is held by Carlos Ruiz on 39. Now, now Argentina have got one more game, I think, in terms of qualifying, and which will be next week.
00:06:11
Ken Davies
Yeah, you will have.
00:06:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Portugal, though, are way behind. So Ronaldo's got a really good chance because Joafa's way behind in qualifying.
00:06:19
Ken Davies
yeah
00:06:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
you've always pulled You pulled a face there, Ken. You didn't like the sound.
00:06:21
Ken Davies
um and I would always choose Messi over Ronaldo. It's just a personality thing.
00:06:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, fair enough. Well, Ronaldo's got a great chance to to get back ahead.
00:06:30
Ken Davies
Who would you rather be stuck in a lift in with, Messi or Ronaldo?
00:06:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
If I was stuck in lift with either of them, I'd be very excited.
00:06:38
Ken Davies
Yeah, I know, but you've got to choose one. you's going to have one.
00:06:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Well, I think Cristiano speaks better English. So at least I'd be able to have a conversation with him.
00:06:49
Ken Davies
Fair enough. Fair
00:06:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whereas Messi, you just kind of look at him and it's Messi for eight hours whilst whilst you're waiting for the fire
00:06:55
Ken Davies
enough.
UEFA Games, Ticketing, and Media Talk
00:06:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
to come and get
00:06:56
Ken Davies
That's enough. That's enough for me. Anyway, sorry, carry on.
00:07:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
and so So, Comma Bowl is pretty much done and dusted other than one more game to see who's going to get the playoffs. In South Africa, and we're talking about South Africa today in many ways. um Now then, Morocco are in.
00:07:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Morocco have qualified after last night's game.
00:07:15
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:07:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, many congratulations to them.
00:07:19
Ken Davies
Model rocket.
00:07:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Egypt won, we'll talk about that today. They won 2-0 with goals from, well, who else really? Mo Salah and Marmush. South Africa always also won, so they're taking a big step.
00:07:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was a busy day. was a busy day in qualification in the African Federation. We saw lots of wins, lots of progression, but other than Morocco, no clear qualifiers, but certainly progress being made along
Egypt's World Cup History - Challenges and Triumphs
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
there.
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there is
00:07:48
Ken Davies
And lots of games on Tuesday. Lots of games on Tuesdays. There were a few more people falling out on Tuesday, think.
00:07:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, very much so. It was also a busy weekend in UEFA. ah Lots of games last night, lots of games today. Looking down at the big hitters, no great surprises. France won 2-0 away in Ukraine.
00:08:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Italy, whose form has been pretty wretched for quite a long time, they had a big win against Estonia. fiven 5-0 to Estonia. And everybody else kind of did what you would expect them to do.
00:08:16
Ken Davies
Germany yeah and he lost away.
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Germany lost a way. haven't got that on my list.
00:08:26
Ken Davies
Slovenia? Slovakia?
00:08:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:08:29
Ken Davies
So there you go.
00:08:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I haven't got that on my list.
00:08:31
Ken Davies
Germany lost the first opening World Cup game the other day. And I think that was on Wednesday.
00:08:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
What was that then?
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, right. Yes, yes. No, Thursday. You're quite right. Sorry. I was just looking at my list from yesterday. You're quite right. Sorry. let me go Let me get my papers in order here. Yes, they lost two years away at Slovakia. Goodness. Yeah, that was ah that was a yeah ah real surprise.
00:08:53
Ken Davies
Yeah. I know.
00:08:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
A real surprise.
00:08:55
Ken Davies
ah Good, because we we we think Germany are a bit a bit ropey, don't we?
00:08:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, we do. Yeah, we yeah absolutely we do. We're going to come to them at some some stage of this podcast. ah But ah elsewhere, three ni win away from home
Analyzing Egypt's Current Form and Key Players
00:09:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
for Spain to get them off to a flyer. Ken, I did note on Thursday night that Wales had won a game just for you.
00:09:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wales won 1-0 away at Kazakhstan.
00:09:18
Ken Davies
Yeah, and who scored?
00:09:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, the guy who now plays for Wrexham. Yeah, Kiefer Moore scored, didn't he?
00:09:27
Ken Davies
did, yeah. And he didn't score.
00:09:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not only did he.
00:09:28
Ken Davies
Because Ed, even though he's 6'11", he scored put on the ground.
00:09:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, right. i I thought it was only yeah ah i was in his contract. He was only allowed score headers.
00:09:35
Ken Davies
So did I. But it doesn't apply to the Wales games, obviously.
00:09:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah so
00:09:38
Ken Davies
And he, yeah, it was a nice finish on the edge of the six-yard box. we don't We were absolutely dominant, though.
00:09:48
Ken Davies
So, so far we're doing better than Germany.
00:09:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah You are doing better than Germany on the basis that you've that you've won the game. So, you know, well done for that.
00:09:55
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:09:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so... Good start for Wales. Good start for the big hitters other than ah Germany, obviously. And yeah, more games today. So we'll be able to bring you up to date with all of that. next week. So actually, when when we do next week's podcast, we will have had two kind of well have loads we'll have load of games.
00:10:15
Ken Davies
I'm going to be doing it live from the South of France though.
00:10:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are you? Well, lucky old you.
00:10:20
Ken Davies
There
00:10:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Wales are top of the group, by the way. I was top the group, played five.
00:10:24
Ken Davies
you go. Stop the count, as Donald Trump used to say.
00:10:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, um but that's the good news. The bad news is that North Macedonia are second, two points behind with a game in hand. um Belgium are third, three points behind with two games in hand.
00:10:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's all to play for.
00:10:45
Ken Davies
I think it's already in the bag, quite honestly.
00:10:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's all to play for. i What's already in the bag? Staying at home. Staying at home.
00:10:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, so yeah, that's so that's mostly your breaking news. We're going to talk a little bit about ah comments interesting comments from Jules Koundé, the French defender, a little bit later on. and Just one more thing on on news this week.
00:11:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
FIFA have confirmed that it will indeed employ dynamic pricing for tickets to the World Cup. We talked about this quite a while ago, didn't we, when it was mooted? Well, they've now...
00:11:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
confirmed it, the cheapest tickets will start at $60, which in UK money is £44, and Euros is somewhere in between. And the most expensive for a prime spot at final starting at £5,760 or already got yours if you can.
00:11:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
seven hundred And think? Should we try?
00:11:36
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:11:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we could. think we could.
00:11:38
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah. Yeah, we've got media seats, haven't
00:11:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
unfortunate to and also who do you think should we try i think we should i think
00:11:46
Ken Davies
we?
00:11:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're the only World Cup podcast in the world. And we're like six months old, really.
00:11:50
Ken Davies
Correct. Correct.
00:11:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
we've already We've already passed our quarter century of episodes because it's episode 26.
00:11:54
Ken Davies
Yeah. Episodes.
00:11:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we should do it.
00:11:58
Ken Davies
know. You know what? Guess what I'm doing this afternoon?
00:12:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
so that's your breaking news. I'm going finish your sentence for you. When you said, guess what I'm doing this afternoon? Is it more applying for media seats for the World Cup?
00:12:18
Ken Davies
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
00:12:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, you should, mate. You should. You should. You should.
00:12:22
Ken Davies
Okay.
00:12:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. OK, we're going to focus a little bit on Egypt then. ah Ken, bring us the a brief history. And I mean brief. A brief history of Egypt in the World Cup.
00:12:32
Ken Davies
Right, here we go. Okay, so ah this is a very interesting little bit of, I thought it was interesting to read up about his Egyptian football history. Not something I've ever done before.
00:12:42
Ken Davies
ah By the way, just to clarify where they are, they're five points clear with three games to go. They've got a game against Burkino Faso on Tuesday. If they win that, they're definitely three because Burkino Faso is second.
00:12:53
Ken Davies
Now, history, oldest national football league, a football team, I should say, national team in Africa. They've won the you African Cup of Nations a record seven times.
00:13:05
Ken Davies
The World Cup, though, has always been a bogey competition for them. They've never, ever quite been able to turn their form at home into form at the World Cup.
00:13:18
Ken Davies
They've only made three appearances at the World Cup. They should have made four. We did touch on this last week. They should have been at the inaugural 1930 competition.
00:13:31
Ken Davies
But why did they not appear there, Nick? remember?
00:13:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's because they missed their boat. Because we talked about this last week. And i believe I believe they got stuck inside a pyramid and therefore missed their boat. But we don't know about the pyramid bit, but we do know they missed their boat.
00:13:49
Ken Davies
There's no talk about pyramids when I've researched this, Nick. I just want to put it. But what
Tactics and Management: Egypt's World Cup Strategy
00:13:55
Ken Davies
happened was this. They had to take two boats to get to the World Cup, a boat from Cairo to Marseille, and then a boat from Marseille to South America.
00:14:07
Ken Davies
Okay. Now, unfortunately, the boat from Cairo to Marseille, when they were on it, was in a storm and the storm was so severe in the Mediterranean, which is a very unusual place to get a storm, I should add, ah it slowed them down sufficiently in the boat that the boat going to South America went without them.
00:14:34
Ken Davies
Can you imagine the the annoyance?
00:14:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
The end
00:14:38
Ken Davies
mean, it's outrageous, isn't it? But they go they're taking the Egyptian team to the World Cup and they say, look, I'll give them another five minutes.
00:14:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
of the game.
00:14:46
Ken Davies
It's like getting a coach to Skagnes. I'll give another five minutes. to don' they get good They can get an Uber. They can get an Uber. ah That's what was happening in the 1930s in Marseille.
00:14:58
Ken Davies
So the boat to South America sails. couple of days later, the Egyptian team turns up in Marseille in their boat with all their football gear. And say, right, where's the boat?
00:15:09
Ken Davies
Where's the boat? Well, it's somewhere over by the Canary Islands now, I reckon. So they missed the connection on the boat.
00:15:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the the Egypt to Marseilles, they're like the short bit of the journey.
00:15:21
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:15:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah that's the That's the bit you can't really get too far wrong.
00:15:23
Ken Davies
Yeah. I i suspect they may have cut it a little bit fine.
00:15:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do
00:15:29
Ken Davies
They clearly didn't have any kind of contingency time in there. contingency time in that
00:15:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
do you think they got there and they were just setting off and they're like, Mo Salah, the Mo Salah of the went, oh, I forgot my boots. going have to nip home and get them.
00:15:46
Ken Davies
Oh, no. Machine pads.
00:15:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:48
Ken Davies
Where's machine pads? Yeah. Anyway, there you go. There you go. So that's why they missed 1930. But they did qualify for 1934. They did qualify for 1990. They did qualify for 2018. 1934, by the way, was held where, Nick?
00:16:04
Ken Davies
Everyone knows the first one. Who knows the second one?
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I can tell you where it wasn't held. It wasn't held in Uruguay. So I'm going to go somewhere.
00:16:09
Ken Davies
It wasn't held in Uruguay, right? Well...
00:16:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, probably then somewhere in Europe.
00:16:14
Ken Davies
Yes? Yes?
00:16:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
because it'll, it'll, uh, Germany.
00:16:17
Ken Davies
Yeah? No, Italy. imagine the duke Can you imagine the German World Cup in 1934? Hello? I don't
00:16:38
Ken Davies
know what happened.
00:16:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. don't know what happened there. We just disappeared.
00:16:41
Ken Davies
We're back.
00:16:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
You disappeared from me completely.
00:16:44
Ken Davies
Yeah, you disappeared from me completely. Don't leave me that way. Anyway, ah can you imagine imagine the German World Cup in 1934?
00:16:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:16:51
Ken Davies
That would have been fun, wouldn't Can you imagine that? Anyway, ah no, it was in Italy. It was just as bad, let's be honest.
00:16:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. i was i was hoping to squeeze I was hoping to squeeze a song into your... I i was hoping you were going to say it was a night boat from Cairo, that I could sing the madness song to you. But you never got that far when you were telling you what telling your story from a boat.
00:17:08
Ken Davies
and was It wasn't... Well...
00:17:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
but There we are.
00:17:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Such is life, though.
00:17:12
Ken Davies
It probably was a night boat from Cairo.
00:17:16
Ken Davies
I
00:17:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
to it did it it You should get your guitar out. Your guitar's behind you. Get out and play this.
00:17:23
Ken Davies
am not.
00:17:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's great.
00:17:24
Ken Davies
Anyway, so um now the interesting about Egyptian World Cup history, in 1934, they went to Italy. Obviously, ah that they are, they're again, sailing from Cairo to Italy this time.
00:17:36
Ken Davies
ah All the risks that evolved in a journey from Cairo to the eu to Europe. They got there. They lost to Hungary. They only played one game and they went home. They only had one game.
00:17:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a long way to go.
00:17:48
Ken Davies
So...
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
At least I got there
00:17:49
Ken Davies
Yeah, at least they got there. But can you imagine if you'd been in the 1930-1934 squad and all you've got to show for all these journeys is one game against Hungary that you lose 4-2.
00:18:00
Ken Davies
Anyway, and they didn't then qualify or they didn't choose to qualify for of competitions. ah But they did qualify for 1990. And they played three games.
00:18:12
Ken Davies
They won none. They drew two. They lost one. they They drew one one to the Netherlands. They drew 0-0 with the Republic of Ireland. And they lost 1-0 to...
00:18:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. You're the one who's doing this bit of research.
00:18:27
Ken Davies
England, Nick. England.
00:18:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why are you saying should know that?
00:18:31
Ken Davies
So they lost...
00:18:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're the You researched this segment.
00:18:33
Ken Davies
England. I did.
00:18:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So don't...
00:18:35
Ken Davies
i have gotten I have got an advantage here.
00:18:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:18:38
Ken Davies
And then they qualified for Russia 2018, rather. Played three, won down, drawn down, lost three. So the moral of the tale is two things.
00:18:49
Ken Davies
Never leave it too late to get a connection in Marseille. And secondly, Egypt have never won a World Cup game in their existence.
00:18:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:18:58
Ken Davies
ah ah so So there you go.
00:19:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:01
Ken Davies
ah Now, form, very quickly.
00:19:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
l
00:19:04
Ken Davies
Form over the last 2024 and 2025, nine games. They've won seven. They've drawn two. They've lost none. So obviously excellent form. But there is a bit of a question mark over the opposition standing.
00:19:16
Ken Davies
ah But in those nine games, they've only conceded two goals. They've scored 16. Most those sixteen of those 16 have been scored either by Mahmoud or by Salah.
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:19:26
Ken Davies
ah Finally, on ranking, they're currently ranked 34th, which is consistent. They've consistently been around the 30 mark. The highest in 2010 was ninth, surprisingly to me, the lowest in 2012. So that was a catastrophic ah demise, so to speak.
00:19:43
Ken Davies
They were lowest 75th two years later. they went from ninth to 75th. That takes some doing. But there's been a bit of a rise since then. So the now the 30th and pretty much certainties to qualify for the World Cup.
Sponsor Message: Zencastr's Podcasting Tools
00:19:57
Ken Davies
Nick.
00:19:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very good. Thank you very much indeed. a good Some good history there, Ken. I enjoyed that.
00:20:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was good. They've got there's an eventful past for very little to very little to show for it.
00:20:02
Ken Davies
Thank you.
00:20:04
Ken Davies
Oh yeah.
00:20:07
Ken Davies
Nothing really.
00:20:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, before we move on to our players, Ken, do you have a word from our sponsors?
00:20:12
Ken Davies
Yes, I do. Because as we know, as we know in Egypt, as Hassan knows in Egypt, It pays to get your team selection right. And here at Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery partner. now We chose Zencastr because Zencastr makes it easy to bring your vision to life, to share it with your audience, wherever they may be.
00:20:34
Ken Davies
It's got 4K video recording. It's got AI editing. It's got absolutely top tier distribution tools. And they're all in one place. So if you've got a story to tell, tell it Zencastr.
00:20:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right,
00:20:44
Ken Davies
Check the show notes and you'll find out lots more about
00:20:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
right we're going to have a look at some of our E-players.
Player Profiles: Spotlight on Egypt's Stars
00:20:58
Ken Davies
I can't hear any music, Nick.
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can I hear the music?
00:21:03
Ken Davies
I can't hear any.
00:21:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can hear It's very loud and clear in my headphones.
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're having a system harm there today, you are. You're having a system failure. Right, okay.
00:21:06
Ken Davies
don't think so.
00:21:11
Ken Davies
i don't but
00:21:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, five key players. We're going to start off, as we always do, with the goalkeeper, Mohamed El-Shanawi. And he is a very staple figure between the posts for Egypt. He's Egypt's long-time goalkeeper. He's captain of Al-Ali, which is in the Egypt Premier League.
00:21:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And is, and always has been, widely regarded as one as Africa's top goalkeepers. He's got 64 caps. He's 36 years old, so plays into our theme of old goalkeepers at next year's goalkeeper.
00:21:39
Ken Davies
It's maybe then compared to others.
00:21:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to add up the age of every single goalkeeper once all the teams are qualified. just so it just yeah it's this
00:21:45
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:21:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Every goalkeeper, with one or two exceptions, is in his early to mid-30s. Six foot three, so he's big lad. He's already played in two World Cups, so he's got plenty of experience.
00:21:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
He didn't play in the 1930 World Cup because he was on the boat and am missed the boat. But he's played in two since then.
00:22:03
Ken Davies
Poor fella.
00:22:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
know. Leadership from the back is very, very highly regarded. He's he's a good leader from the back. He's a good keeper. For a team like Egypt, I've got to say, he's a good keeper to have between the sticks. There's plenty of other teams, I think, who would who would like him.
00:22:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I don't know if you saw this. He had a good Club World Cup, ah club wo up rather, in the summer. ah don't know if you saw this because it made big headlines. he had He made an unbelievable save from Messi in the opening game where he of arched his back and flipped, just tipped the ball over.
00:22:27
Ken Davies
Yes, I remember that, yeah.
00:22:31
Ken Davies
Good
00:22:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
it was great it was a great so It a great save. So still very agile, even the age of 36.
00:22:35
Ken Davies
one.
00:22:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think i could do that. then Then again, I'm not 36. I wish. Plan number two is Mohamed Elneny, the defensive midfielder, age 33. So lots again, lots and lots of experience.
00:22:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Plays for the UAAAE Pro League Club Al Jazeera, although, of course, he is better known from his time at Arsenal. where he made 91 appearances between 2016 and 2024. So again, plenty of high level experience here.
00:23:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a good, good, is he's just a workhorse in the middle of the park. He just gets around anchoring.
00:23:13
Ken Davies
Work camel, Nick, work camel.
00:23:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not going to he's a work camel.
00:23:16
Ken Davies
Here's a work camel in Egypt. Obviously, they don't have horses in Egypt, do they?
00:23:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is a work camel. Not that I want to play into stereotypes, Ken.
00:23:24
Ken Davies
ah
00:23:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Honestly, some of us, I do all this research, and for what? I give up.
00:23:35
Ken Davies
Sorry, mate.
00:23:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Right.
00:23:35
Ken Davies
told you.
00:23:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's the workhorse in the middle of the Egypt. And he's the engine room. He's the engine room of the team, essentially. He was named in the CAF, the African Federation's team with the tournament in AFCON, 2021. twenty twenty one He recently surpassed 100 caps. And...
00:23:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
and even last So he joined he joined al Jazeera last year, so July 2024 he went there. And in his debut season, he's won the UAE League Cup and was also voted the UAE Pro League Player of the Season.
00:24:00
Ken Davies
Yeah. Yeah.
00:24:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's had a good year, he's in good form, and he's certainly one for a lookout for, I think, for Egypt. We then move into... As I'm going to talk about a little bit later on, I think Egypt are very top-heavy.
00:24:17
Ken Davies
yeah
00:24:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've got good strikers, but other than the good goalkeeper and El Neni, who's a good player, yeah not too much else. So i'm going to go straight to the front line. I'm going to start with Mustafa Mohamed. 27. And the reason I picked him is because I think out of all the other players, he plays at the highest level still. He's he's a striker ah for Nantes in Ligue 1 in France.
00:24:36
Ken Davies
yeah
00:24:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he has he is playing at a decent level, but he's not great. 47 appearances, 13 goals. So he's not prolific. Since he moved to Nantes, he has ah scored, what, 14 in 62 games.
00:24:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
He does make headlines every year, though. This isn't Kenny's quiz yet. We'll come to this later on. Do you know why he makes headlines every year?
00:24:58
Ken Davies
He's a news reader in his spare time.
00:25:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no, no. But he always refuses, ah refuses to play for Nantes in one game every year. And it's always the game where the French Football League across the league have an anti-homophobia day.
00:25:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he always refuses to play.
00:25:16
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:25:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this is inmates May 2025, which third season in a row.
00:25:18
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah arguing that fighting against discrimination and persecution of homosexuals, which is the kind of banner, was contrary to his ethnic background and his Islamic faith.
00:25:28
Ken Davies
ah
00:25:33
Ken Davies
Blimey.
00:25:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
and all And it always makes sense.
00:25:34
Ken Davies
off the fence, mate. Flipping heck.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:37
Ken Davies
Old...
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's Mustafa Mohammed.
00:25:39
Ken Davies
Old Rainbow Mohammed up front.
00:25:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think you'll ever find that on his social media.
00:25:44
Ken Davies
Rainbow laced.
00:25:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no, he'll definitely not be wearing any rainbow lace. In fact, I was to say something. I'm not going say it. I've got to move on.
00:25:51
Ken Davies
yeah
00:25:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Omar Omar.
00:25:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know You know we're only going to get yeah we're already going to get ourselves into trouble here.
00:25:56
Ken Davies
No, it's great play.
00:25:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Omar Mouche. It was quite funny though. And now I can't get out of my head.
00:26:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I'm not going to say it live on air.
00:26:05
Ken Davies
now that
00:26:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Right. Omar Mouche.
00:26:07
Ken Davies
yeah
00:26:07
Ken Davies
but um
00:26:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
26 years old. Omar Mouche is great. We've been watching in Premier League.
00:26:12
Ken Davies
nice right like
00:26:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
for Manchester City. He signed for City in January and he's made an instant its to impact. Scored eight goals across all competition in that time. And he's he's added real zip to what was a very inconsistent front line.
00:26:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you remember last year when Highland was out, they just didn't really have
00:26:28
Ken Davies
Oh yeah. No clue.
00:26:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
until he came in. So it's either Haaland or nothing.
00:26:30
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:26:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Mamoosh has filled that gap really, really well. And whilst he might, you know he plays second fiddle, doesn't he, to Haaland at Man City.
00:26:41
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:26:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
He'll play second fiddle to Egypt, to Mo Salah. But he is really, really good player.
00:26:49
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:26:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
A really player. Now, by time, think three days after the World Cup, Salah turns 34. So after it starts, I mean, not not after it, but after it starts, he turns 34. So Mamouche has got to be the kind of natural heir to Salah's crown, I think, in the Egyptian team.
00:27:06
Ken Davies
Do you, and I'm sure we'll get to talk to this very shortly, but do you think Sal is on the wane?
00:27:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
No. but but Well, I mean, look, he's 30. Well, he must be 33, obviously. ah Is he on the wane? I'm good at maths. that's ah I can do this. I can do this.
00:27:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:27:25
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:27:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is he on the wane? We always say he's on the wane. Then he pops up and scores like 10 goals in a row.
00:27:29
Ken Davies
ah no I know, I know.
00:27:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then we all go, oh, yeah.
00:27:30
Ken Davies
I haven't been as impressed in this Premier League, though, so far.
00:27:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, he's had and a very, very indifferent start. But that's kind of the way Salah plays. He can do nothing for eight or nine minutes then suddenly score two goals in the last 30 seconds of the game to win it.
00:27:44
Ken Davies
Yeah. Yeah.
00:27:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's just what he's like. Yeah, you're right. He's not... Well, look, let's let's finish Mahmoud, shall we?
00:27:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So, well, I had finished Mahmoud, to be fair. That was it. That was it. But he's a very good player. I expect him to carry on playing well at Man City. I expect it to be you know one of one of Egypt's top players in the World Cup next year.
00:27:50
Ken Davies
yeah
00:28:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then my final player is, of course, Mo Salah, nicknamed the Pharaoh by the press, the fourth pyramid by Egyptian fans, grew up in the streets of Nagrig, just north of Cairo.
00:28:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And even seven even I read a really really into interesting interview this week about him when I was doing my research with one of his former coaches. He was just talking about even at so six, seven years old, he could just do things that none of his other teammates could, even though he was like half their half their size and half their height.
00:28:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, you know, what a brilliant player. what a but we've We've been blessed to have him in the Premier League. 304 Premier League appearances at one hundred and 187 goals. I always wonder whether Chelsea...
00:28:41
Ken Davies
um
00:28:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I remember first seeing when he was at Chelsea and they're like, no, he's not good enough.
00:28:44
Ken Davies
yeah
00:28:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's send him out loan. Let's send him to Liverpool. I just think... I mean, look, on another podcast that you and I do, Ken, called the Daily Premier League... I often bemoan Chelsea's transfer activity. I don't like the way they do business.
00:29:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't agree with it. they're just caught They spend too much money. They've got far too many players. It's a kind constant revolving kind merry-go-round.
00:29:06
Ken Davies
And they waste talent, don't they?
00:29:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
They waste talent, they waste money. But one of the things they one of the things they should always kick themselves for is thinking that Salah wasn't good enough and selling him to Liverpool.
00:29:15
Ken Davies
Yeah, they did same with De Bruyne, didn't they?
00:29:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. So, yeah, one of the greatest Premier League players ever. He carries very much carries the weight of a nation on his shoulders, but he's a guy who embraces it. He's a really, really good guy. nice guy, does loads of philanthropic work. He loves being the figure.
00:29:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
that everybody looks to. So, look, he's done everything. He's won everything at domestic level with Liverpool. Obviously, yeah it's very difficult with Egypt to achieve anything. But on ah on ah on a global scale, I mean, not not necessarily AFCON, but on a global scale, then we wish him well because it will be his last World Cup next year. And I hope that we see the very best of him.
00:29:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
In answer to your question, is he on the way? Well, probably is because all players, when they get to 33, are. ah But that doesn't mean say that he's not absolutely dynamic still, that he's not starting every game for Liverpool and that we won't enjoy another great season of watching him play.
00:30:08
Ken Davies
He's an icon. I love watching him play. I think he's a great player. I hope he has a fantastic, fantastic World Cup. Egypt need him because if they if they don't get an absolutely on on top of his form Mo Sarra, they're going to struggle. But, you know, he scored.
00:30:24
Ken Davies
He scored the other day. So, yep, good luck to Mo.
00:30:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good luck to me. So there's your five players, Ken. How are they going line up?
00:30:31
Ken Davies
um It's an interesting one. I've looked back over the last three games, easily played, and just to look at the formation. It's either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. one ah It is really the way it has seems to work for those guys and for Hassan Hassan is they they tend to play a 4-2-3-1 against stronger opposition. They tend to play a 4-3-3 against weaker opposition.
00:30:58
Ken Davies
um Al-Shanawi in goal. Hany, Rabia, Sobi and Hanbi as the back four. ah Generally, yeah you mentioned Al-Nani. He certainly didn't feature in the last couple of games.
00:31:12
Ken Davies
ah But Essentially, it's all about the front three. it's And essentially, it's Mo Salah on the right, it's Mahmoud on the left, and it's mohammad Mustafa Mohamed in the middle.
00:31:25
Ken Davies
ah It is, you know, one of the things I... um They play Faisal in the middle against the most recent game centre-forward. He plays for the National Bank of Egypt.
00:31:38
Ken Davies
Out of these names, where they're kind of unusual names in these... football teams, that he plays the National, I don't know means that actually works for the National Bank of Egypt, year but he must get a discount, mustn't he, on his honest his kind of bank chart.
00:31:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
He'll get great interest rates on his savings gap.
00:31:54
Ken Davies
Imagine, yeah, he gets like 98% interest rate.
00:31:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
He'll
00:31:57
Ken Davies
Anyway, so Fassal played centre-forward, but you're right, mohammad Mustafa Mohamed generally does. So I reckon a 4-2-3-1 in the World Cup, essentially the pyramid formation.
00:32:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah You've just been waiting to say that all week, haven't you?
00:32:14
Ken Davies
Thank you.
00:32:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, get your pipe out. host That was terrible. Right, okay. Before we have a very quick chat on postbag, Ken, bring us another word from another of our sponsors, please.
00:32:26
Ken Davies
Yeah, why don't i do that? Because Global Sports Podcast Network and the Reds World Cup is a big part of that, as well as loads of other things as well, which you need to find out all about, is or has partnered with Bionique, the world's most personalized supplements, because your body is unique.
00:32:43
Ken Davies
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00:33:01
Ken Davies
So click the link on the show notes. Use the code GSPN2025 for your 40% discount off your first
The Impact of Football Overload
00:33:08
Ken Davies
order. You'll be glad you did.
00:33:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two bits of postbag then to bring you. ah One, very briefly, did you see the email this week from Angry Matt? Angry Matt's been back in touch with us. sent you the emails.
00:33:18
Ken Davies
Oh, no. um I didn't.
00:33:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so Angry Matt is always one of my favorite correspondents.
00:33:20
Ken Davies
I didn't. I went away.
00:33:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's in touch with us quite regularly. But I'm afraid to say he's now on my blacklist. I'm no longer fan of Angry Matt because whilst he was...
00:33:29
Ken Davies
Oh.
00:33:32
Ken Davies
He blocked it.
00:33:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I think I might, to be honest with you, because he was was talking about, he's ah he's a, for those of you who don't know, who don't listen to this podcast on a regular basis, A, why not? And B, you're missing out on some great stuff.
00:33:45
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah.
00:33:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Anger Matt has been a regular correspondent. He's based in England in and he's a big Nottingham Forest fan.
00:33:51
Ken Davies
He's a bit one track, the Angry Man.
00:33:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he always, yeah, he is, yeah.
00:33:54
Ken Davies
a bit one track.
00:33:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he always,
00:33:55
Ken Davies
He's a bit focused on one particular subject.
00:33:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
He always gets in touch when we mention anything to do with Nottingham Forest. And we did last week where we talked about the England squad for today's game and the fact that Elliot Anderson might might be playing today.
00:34:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course, plays Forest. Anyway, he got in touch to say, what what do what do we think are the chances of Elliot Anderson playing, et cetera. that's not what we're here to talk about today. But what he did say, what he did say, Ken, was that I was generally talking nonsense. And he called you, by the way, the voice of reason.
00:34:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, what a load of absolute monsters. He's got the whole thing completely the wrong way round.
00:34:37
Ken Davies
I think he's hit the nail right squarely on the head there. I think I've always liked him. I've always thought he's he's someone who he looks at things in a very rounded way and comes up with the right conclusions.
00:34:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
A minute ago, you were slagging him off. You were calling him one-dimensional.
00:34:52
Ken Davies
Yeah, well, that was before I knew he'd he'd said something nice about me. <unk> um you know I've got one opinion, but if that doesn't work, I'll completely shift 180 degrees.
00:35:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. Well, he's the only one who does think he took the voice of reason or indeed took any sense whatsoever.
00:35:04
Ken Davies
Bless him. Good lad. and And by the way, the answer to the first part of his question is zero is the chance of him playing.
00:35:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Well, there you You've lost your voice of reason crowd immediately then. i I'll be back as Anthony Matt's favourite as of of of right here, right now. Right. the other The other thing we're going to talk about today is we've had an email in from, and I don't quite know how to pronounce this, so apologies, Job or Joby. I'm not quite sure how, but he's based in St. Louis in Missouri.
00:35:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he said, look, over over here in the USA, we've had Gold Cup and we've had the Club World Cup over the summer. ah There are other tournaments taking place around the world in the summer, which essentially means footballers play all year round.
00:35:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, we've had the Nations League here in Europe. um AFCON's taking place in January, February time, but but that's going to be a big... ask for African players says, is there too much football? And Joe asked the question, will the World Cup suffer from too much football and is it harming the game? And before I get your answer on this, Ken, comments this week from French defender Jules Koundé.
00:36:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's asked for a reassessment of football's congested calendar, saying that the excessive schedule is having a massive effect on players. But also what he calls the broad ah sort of the broader game.
00:36:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
The families, people who work around football, they are what he calls victims of this relentless pace. And I guess the question is,
00:36:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah The question is two things. He says, sometimes in life when we overdo things, we stop appreciating them. So so are we kind of, do we just take football for granted? when we When we see too much, we no longer give it the same importance. And that's what's happening with football is overconsumption.
00:36:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you've got that. I will interest kind of wane a little bit because we're so used to watching football. But also, will the
Quiz Time and Egypt's World Cup Predictions?
00:36:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
World Cup suffer? Because we're just going to go in with injured players, tired players, and we're not going to see the best of everybody in the best competition in the world.
00:36:58
Ken Davies
Well, ah yes. The answer to that is yes on both counts, I think. ah I was just, as you were ah framing that question, I was just thinking about some other sports, two other big global sports.
00:37:10
Ken Davies
So let's say NFL, baseball, basketball, athletics, ah cricket. All of them still have very, very defined seasons. Very defined seasons.
00:37:22
Ken Davies
So the NFL season is no longer than 24 weeks. And then that's it. That's it. ah Baseball, it's happening now, but it's going to be coming to a conclusion. yeah that's It's it'ss essentially the spring and summer sport.
00:37:35
Ken Davies
But that that's it. And it's the same for basketball. The problem with football ah is that what used to be a defined season is just not a defined season anymore. It is literally constant football.
00:37:49
Ken Davies
I mean, European competitions are starting in July. ah I mean, and his last games are in May. it's And then we've got to fit in all these national competitions. So I think the answer your question is is, does this lead to a way... I think the big competitions won't.
00:38:07
Ken Davies
The big competitions won't suffer, I don't think. But it's certainly, I think... ah becomes if you if you're a constant follower of football if you actually go and watch the teams it's increasingly expensive but i think from a from a player's perspective i think the risk of burnout are is really intense now there's going to be people are going to say well they're not working down the coal mine you know know there are you know it's it's not exactly the most intense work schedule actually on a day-to-day basis don't think that's the point really um
00:38:39
Ken Davies
In my opinion, footballers like thoroughbred race sources. You wouldn't race them every day. And what we're doing, we're sort of we're asking thoroughbred race sources to race every day. and that's And they just wouldn't consider that as being a sensible thing to do. But yet we do that with human beings and footballers. So, yeah, i think there's way too much football. I think we need to really assess that because it will start to affect performance, injury. And psychologically, I think players going to suffer from that.
00:39:10
Ken Davies
Voice of reason.
00:39:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:39:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Voice of Rhi. I tell you what, that was that was the most framed, sensible thing you've ever said on this, but not only on this podcast, but you know I've known you what for years, 20 years, 30 years, 40 years.
00:39:11
Ken Davies
Voice of reason.
00:39:23
Ken Davies
In my life.
Managerial Insights: Hossam Hassan's Role
00:39:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that is kind arguably the most sensible thing and the most well-rounded, well-constructed argument that I've ever heard you say. Let's see how you get on with this then.
00:39:31
Ken Davies
Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Oh dear.
00:39:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is, of course, everybody's favourite time of week. It's time for Kenny's quiz. The pipe is out. He's looking pretty relaxed and happy. He was in good form. Two out of three last week. So he's fancying it today. He's fancying it today. couple of questions around...
00:39:58
Ken Davies
My knowledge of Egypt isn't great. And if you Cleopatra, Asp, and Pyramid, that's about it.
00:40:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it not?
00:40:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, that's the end of Kenny's quiz for this week.
00:40:05
Ken Davies
Let's not do
00:40:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well done, Ken. Three out of three. Good man. The answer was Cleopatra... I'm going to have to think of some different questions. Right.
00:40:17
Ken Davies
Right, go on. Hit me with it.
00:40:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
The first plague, the first, look, you're a churchgoer, man. The first plague that God unleashed on the Egyptians when he sent Moses to free the Israelites, I deliberately, I deliberately, okay, the look on your face.
00:40:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I deliberately chose this for you because like you go to church every Sunday.
00:40:35
Ken Davies
I do.
00:40:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
The first plague that God unleashed on the Egyptians when he sent Moses to free the Israelites was when he turned water into what?
00:40:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Shout along at home if you know the answer to this.
00:40:48
Ken Davies
It turned water into into something else.
00:40:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
He turned water into something else and then and then then he unleashed this plague on the Egyptians.
00:40:51
Ken Davies
and
00:40:57
Ken Davies
And the plague was, I'm going to turn all your water into a different substance.
00:41:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:41:04
Ken Davies
that substance was
00:41:10
Ken Davies
a substance.
00:41:16
Ken Davies
I don't know.
00:41:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, think about what...
00:41:18
Ken Davies
i
00:41:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, plagues aren't good, are they? So it's not going to be sugar or beer or wine.
00:41:21
Ken Davies
No, it's not gonna, no, I was thinking wine, but I was thinking, no, that's a good, that'd be a good thing, but it's gotta be liquid, isn't it?
00:41:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a good thing.
00:41:29
Ken Davies
It's gotta be a liquid.
00:41:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is a liquid.
00:41:31
Ken Davies
Yeah. Okay. He's turning it into, ah Oh, I
00:41:41
Ken Davies
um i don't know. Milk.
00:41:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
well
00:41:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
What?
00:41:47
Ken Davies
but Milk goes off, doesn't it?
00:41:48
Ken Davies
Milk goes off.
00:41:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, the ah the answer was blood, which is quite and which which I thought you'd get that because I thought you i thought you' were an expert on a Bible.
00:41:52
Ken Davies
Oh.
00:41:55
Ken Davies
Nah.
00:41:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
i thought you knew all these things.
00:41:57
Ken Davies
That's all the Old Testament stuff, mate. I'm not bothered about that.
00:42:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Second question. The Nile is the world's longest river. To the nearest mile, but going to give you 100
00:42:06
Ken Davies
To this male? To this male?
00:42:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to give you 100.
00:42:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to give you 100. No, actually, I won't because you're being a bit of a an idiot today. So to the nearest mile, how long is the River mile and river Nile? hit's the mile.
00:42:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
It flows north to south or south to north, whichever you to look at. South to north from the East African highlands to the Mediterranean Sea. I'll give you 100 miles again because I'm in a good mood and I'm going watch football later on.
00:42:34
Ken Davies
Thank you. It's 3,520.
00:42:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
How long the River Nile?
00:42:37
Ken Davies
Oh. Hmm. Oh, God.
00:42:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
You see, if I'd given you to the nearest 700 miles, you might have got that right. But I didn't. So the answer is 4,189 miles or one.
00:42:50
Ken Davies
Yeah,
00:42:53
Ken Davies
yeah but the first 700 miles doesn't count. This is a stream. It's the stream, Niall.
00:42:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
right yes that
00:42:59
Ken Davies
Anyway. Sorry, go on.
00:43:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
right last one ancient egyptian
00:43:03
Ken Davies
Yeah. Yeah.
00:43:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Yeah, but you can't ask anything about Egypt without it being like ancient Egyptians, can you? Because that's like the most interesting thing.
00:43:10
Ken Davies
No, you can't.
00:43:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ancient Egyptians believed the god Anubis weighed what bit of the human body to see if the person would be allowed into the afterlife?
00:43:23
Ken Davies
Careful. Careful, Ken.
00:43:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh without
00:43:27
Ken Davies
Careful.
00:43:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
if they were lay If they were weighing that of yours, mate, we wouldn't even notice the scales. So which part of the human body ah did they weigh?
00:43:32
Ken Davies
No. Heart, the
00:43:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
This does make sense if you think about this.
00:43:37
Ken Davies
heart. ah heart
00:43:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
The heart is Ken's answer.
00:43:44
Ken Davies
Yay.
00:43:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've redeemed yourself at the end there. I mean, it's one of those 95th minute goals when you're already 2-0 down that doesn't really matter.
00:43:52
Ken Davies
Mo Salah, Salah Special.
00:43:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
but everybody kind But at least you go home with something.
00:43:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
At least you go home with something if you haven't left already. Not bad, mate. Not bad. two One out of three is all right, isn't it?
00:43:57
Ken Davies
Thank you.
00:44:03
Ken Davies
I've never had a three out of three, though,
00:44:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, you're never three out three. Right, before we get to our predictions and finish off the podcast for today, a very quick word on the manager. Who is the manager of Egypt? Well, he's exceptionally, exceptionally well-known character in Egyptian football called Hossam Hassan.
00:44:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's He's only been the head coach of Egypt for a little while, since early 2024. I think he's only had 12 games. ah but And he took over when Egypt was eliminated after the 2023 African Cup of Nations. But he is a national hero.
00:44:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a national hero in Egypt because he holds the record for the most goals scored for the national team. Salah is hot on his heels.
00:44:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
It should be said, so he might just drop him. When he gets within about three yeah three goals of his record, he'll just probably drop him and say, I'm never playing you again because I want to keep my record. 69 goals, he will. 69 goals.
00:44:44
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:44:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
sixty nine ago
00:44:57
Ken Davies
How far is Salah behind him? Do we know?
00:44:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, he's got 69. And Salah, what did we say? Salah's got 60, didn't we?
00:45:03
Ken Davies
Yeah. Nine.
00:45:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
So how many goals is he behind him, Ken?
00:45:07
Ken Davies
Nine.
00:45:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well done, mate. Well done. That wasn't part of Kenny's quiz, but I'll give you a point for it nonetheless. Yeah, so he's nine behind. So when Salah gets eight, when did Egypt win 8-0 in their next qualified game, that's his international career over.
00:45:17
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:45:21
Ken Davies
Yeah, thanks. But i think you're on the Wayne mode.
00:45:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
All over and over. Yeah, 69 goals in one hundred and 177 appearances. He is regarded as one of the best players in African football history and is the 15th most capped player in men's international football.
00:45:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a prolific, he was a prolific goal scorer. Second in the list of Egyptian Premier League all-time goal scorers. And yeah, yeah listen, he's considered one of the best players in all time.
00:45:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
To the point where, and I love this because it gives hope for the rest of us. Aged 40, he was still playing and winning the African Cup of Nations.
00:45:55
Ken Davies
Blimey.
00:45:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Aged 40.
00:45:57
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:45:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's pretty impressive. That's pretty impressive.
00:45:59
Ken Davies
Yeah, it's a good one.
00:45:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah He began managing in 2008. He was a club manager for about 16 years before going into international managers ah management. rather And of his 12 games in charge of Egypt, he's won eight of them, drawn three, and lost one. So he's got off to good start.
00:46:15
Ken Davies
Yeah, it's a good one.
00:46:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But a little bit too early a little bit too early just to say how he's going to get on. But it's good to see. i love that I love it when we get big names and in management and players and and people who are... who are just very, very well known. And I like it when they are so national heroes, if you like.
Conclusion and Next Episode Tease
00:46:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because they're not over there.
00:46:32
Ken Davies
I think.
00:46:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
In fact, anywhere else in the entire world, other than England, these kind of national hero figures are treated with absolute respect and love.
00:46:42
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:46:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And everybody wants them to do well.
00:46:42
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:46:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
In England, everybody wants them to fail miserably and do badly so they can moan at them.
00:46:47
Ken Davies
Yeah. It's much funnier though, much funnier when you take that approach.
00:46:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... the but
00:46:51
Ken Davies
so Generally.
00:46:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Well, yeah. But we wish you well. So that's Hassan Hassan. So going to finish off the podcast as we always do. And that's a prediction. And Ken, I'm going to, shall I go? No, I'm going let you go first. I'll let you go
00:47:03
Ken Davies
OK, so obviously they've never won a game at the World Cup ever before. They will win a game this time. It's my prediction. ah Remember, they're 34th in the rankings.
00:47:17
Ken Davies
It's a 48-team World Cup. That would suggest that they're in there on merit. um So I think they'll win the first game. I think they'll get through the group stages. I think they'll be quite exciting to watch. I mean, if you've got Marmouche and you've got Salah playing, you've got a chance.
00:47:32
Ken Davies
You've always got a chance. I don't think they'll be particularly successful defensively, particularly against the good teams. So I think their best bet, and I think he knows it, is to go and score goals.
00:47:44
Ken Davies
in In the nine games they've played recently where they've conceded two, they've scored 16. I mean, they do score goals. They do know to create chances. But they are just going to be very susceptible against the better teams.
00:47:56
Ken Davies
So, think they'll the first game. think they'll get through the group stages on that basis. First time they come up against a really good team, I think they're going to struggle. So, I think they're going out in round 32. At least,
00:48:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is the top heaviest team in the world, I think. Between Salah and Marmouche, you've got a combined market value of, I don't know, £120 million pounds or something. and
00:48:17
Ken Davies
at least, at least.
00:48:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
why a ah Maybe more, yeah, maybe more. Everybody else on the team, it's about 7 million, 10 million, something like that. So they've got two superstar players and they have to carry them through.
00:48:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
makes them a very dangerous team. I wouldn't want to deal with Salah and Mamouche playing together in the same team. If I was a centre-half, I don't care who I play for. ah wouldn't have to do I wouldn't want to deal with either of those two, especially on the same team.
00:48:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it does, as you said, and you've kind of hit ear on the head, it makes them very, very, very dependent on the form and indeed the health and the fitness of two key players. Because if Salah picks up an injury the week before the World Cup,
00:48:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or even Mamouche. Do you know what I mean But on the basis, of they're all going to be fit.
00:48:58
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:48:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I also think they're going to get out of group stages. I think they'll probably win a game or or draw three because often that can do the job. I think they get out of there. But that's it. That's it for me.
00:49:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Out of the group stages. Well done to Egypt. They'll go home having been beaten in the round of 32, but haven't got further than they've ever got in a World Cup in the history of the country.
00:49:20
Ken Davies
So we agree. But going they're going home a round of will. That's all dependent on they don't miss their plane. I mean, you know, they've got to actually get on the flight.
00:49:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:49:31
Ken Davies
But fair enough. And, well, no, that's that's that's good. That's another one we agree on. Next week, Colombia.
00:49:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Columbia, brilliant. Yeah, I'm excited about that. I'm excited about it. Meantime, how can people get hold of us, Ken?
00:49:46
Ken Davies
Well, the best thing to do probably is to send us an email. Oh, by the way, you can always subscribe and leave a review as well and and share the podcast because we appreciate that. Lots and lots of people are listening to it, but we would love to hear your thoughts.
00:49:59
Ken Davies
So the best thing to do, send us an email. Excuse me. roadtoworldcup26 at gmail.com that's roadtoworldcup26 at gmail.com we always read them we always like to receive them and there's a pretty good chance you'll end up being featured on the podcast
00:50:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're all over Twitter. We're all over Instagram. We're all over YouTube. So you can find us on there as well. ah Until then, then, until next week, and when we go to Colombia and all the exciting things that have to bring, have a great week.
00:50:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look after yourselves.
00:50:31
Ken Davies
Enjoy your football match, Nick. Enjoy your 0-0 draw this afternoon.
00:50:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? It's not to be a nil draw. England are going to win 5-0 today. That's my prediction.
00:50:39
Ken Davies
1-0. Kane, 70 minutes.
00:50:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it'll be five minutes. It'll be five minutes. don't. Just don't. Yes, until then, be kind to each other, look after each other, look after yourselves. Goodbye.
00:50:50
Ken Davies
Bye-bye.