Omar Marmoush, the forward for Manchester City, is eager to propel Egypt to triumph in the upcoming 2026 Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup.
The Pharaohs began their AFCON journey with a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe on Monday in Morocco, marking the host nation’s first time in 37 years. Both Marmoush and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah found the net, putting Egypt on track for an eighth championship.
Advertisement
After a frustrating start to the season, where Marmoush has seen limited action at Manchester City—starting just twice in the Premier League and being sidelined for six matches due to a knee injury—he will be relieved to gain more playing time. He has participated in 12 games this season.
Nonetheless, the 26-year-old, who transferred to the Etihad Stadium for £59 million in January, had a promising debut in England, scoring seven goals and providing two assists across 16 Premier League matches as City finished third in the 2024-25 league season.
In an interview with Manchester City’s official channels leading up to Egypt’s opening AFCON match against Zimbabwe, Marmoush expressed his team’s aspirations for both the tournament and the World Cup in 2026.
“We’re going to win the Africa Cup of Nations, and then we’ll win the World Cup,” the City forward declared. “We aim to make a strong impression and believe we can dream of winning the tournament or at least reaching a significant stage.”
Advertisement
“We’re not just here to make an appearance. We’ve gone to the World Cup before, and with the quality of our players, we’re confident that as the Egyptian national team, we are the best team in Africa.”
“Next summer, we will go to the World Cup to advance beyond the group stage and show the world who we are, not just to participate.”
Although Marmoush has not scored for Manchester City since a 3-1 Carabao Cup win against Swansea at the end of October, his performances in AFCON could enhance his abilities in attacking roles—especially at a time when the team may need alternatives to Erling Haaland for scoring.
Currently, Haaland, Rayan Cherki, and Phil Foden are performing well, helping City maintain their position in the Premier League title race following a significant 3-0 victory over West Ham this past weekend. The only challenge for City comes from Arsenal, who are currently two points ahead at the top of the table.
Advertisement
The impressive form of City’s attacking trio will be crucial, especially with Marmoush likely being absent for an extended period. The AFCON final is scheduled for January 18, with Egypt holding a 12.4% probability of winning, just behind the favorites, Morocco, at 19.1%, according to Opta.
In January, Manchester City is also considering activating the £65 million release clause for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, as the Ghanaian forward is viewed as a valuable addition to the team’s attack. However, City faces competition from Manchester United and Liverpool for his signature.