The Egypt national under-23 football team (Arabic: منتخب مصر الأوليمبى), sometimes called the Egypt Olympic Team, nicknamed The Pharaohs (Arabic: الفراعنة), is Egypt's under-23 national football team and is administered by the Egyptian Football Association. The team's main objectives are to qualify and play at the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations and Olympic Games. As of Los Angeles 2028, players need to be born on or after 1 January 2005 to participate but the team may be supplemented with 3 over-age players.
The team has played at the Olympic Games 13 times, with four of these being after the tournament became age capped. They're also the top-medalist at the U-23 African Cup.
Contents
History
Egypt has had limited football success since 1992, when the Olympics first became locked for U-23 players. Egypt qualified to the 2012 Olympics after beating Senegal in the Bronze Metal Match. In the Olympics, they placed second in their group after a loss against Brazil, a draw with New Zealand and a win against Belarus. Their run was abruptly stopped by a 3-0 loss to Japan in the quarterfinals. They missed out on Rio 2016 but reached Tokyo 2020 as African Champions after winning the U-23 tournament at home. They placed second in their group after a nil-nil draw with European Champions Spain, a loss against South American Champions Argentina and a 2-0 win against Australia. They lost 1-0 at the quarterfinals to eventual gold-medalist Brazil.
Egypt qualified for the 2024 tournament after placing second in the 2023 U-23 African Cup. This marks the first time they play in successive tournaments since Tokyo 1964.
Results and fixtures
Legend
Win
Draw
Lose
Fixture
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Ghana and Congo on 15, 20 June and the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations between 24 June and 8 July 2023.
Previous squads
1992 Summer Olympics squad
2012 Summer Olympics squad
2020 Summer Olympics squad
Competitive record
Olympic Games
Prior to the 1992 Olympic Games campaign, the Olympic football tournament was open to full senior national teams.
Egypt withdrew from the 1956 Football tournament and boycotted the 1980 Olympics after qualifying for both.
African Games
Prior to the Cairo 1991 campaign, the All-Africa Games was open to full senior national teams