BETTING GUIDE: Djibouti vs Egypt, Match Preview, Team News and Betting tips
Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 08.10.25. | 07:00
Djibouti’s main concern will be damage limitation. Having conceded six goals to Egypt in their reverse fixture, and with no competitive goals scored against them historically
Djibouti and Egypt are set to clash in their ninth group-stage game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The match will be played at a neutral venue - Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco, with both teams entering this contest under vastly different circumstances.
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The Shoremen of the Red Sea are still without a win in the qualifiers and sit bottom of Group A with just one point from eight matches, having drawn once and lost seven.
They have scored only four goals while conceding 28, including heavy defeats to Egypt (6-0), Burkina Faso (6-0), and Ethiopia (6-1).
Their defensive vulnerabilities are glaring, especially in transition and from set-pieces.
Under new coach Stéphane Nado, appointed in June, the team has attempted to adopt a more compact, cautious approach, but results have remained elusive.
Offensively, Djibouti lack firepower. With Gabriel Dadzie and Samuel Akinbinu - who scored two goals each in qualifying - both absent since March, there is added pressure on attacker Moussa Wais to offer any kind of spark.
However, the lack of support in midfield and wide areas often leaves Wais isolated up front.
Goalkeeper Omar Mahamoud, who impressed in previous fixtures, could be handed the gloves again, but he will need to be at his very best to stop the Pharaohs' front line.
Egypt, on the other hand, come into this tie needing just one point to mathematically confirm their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
They have had an excellent qualifying campaign so far, remaining unbeaten in all eight matches (six wins and two draws) while scoring 17 goals and conceding only 2.
They share the distinction of being undefeated with just a few African powerhouses like Senegal, Morocco, the Ivory Coast, and Tunisia.
In their head-to-head history, Egypt have a 100% win record against Djibouti, scoring 14 goals across three matches and conceding none, further highlighting the gulf in quality between the two sides.
Tactically, Egypt under Hossam Hassan has looked well-drilled in a 4-2-3-1 system that allows for width and balance in possession.
The Pharaohs have also displayed patience in the build-up and adaptability in breaking low blocks, which Djibouti are expected to deploy.
A high defensive line and pressing off the ball have helped them dominate weaker teams in the group.
Their strength from set pieces and wing play has been evident throughout qualifying.
Leading the charge will be Mohamed Salah, who, despite a somewhat underwhelming club season at Liverpool, has been Egypt’s talisman.
Salah has already scored seven goals and contributed three assists in qualifying and will look to close the gap on Gabon’s Denis Bouanga, the current top scorer with eight goals.
With Omar Marmoush sidelined due to injury, the Pharaohs will likely rely on Trezeguet, who has five goals in the campaign, to support Salah in attack.
Key Pointers
Djibouti have failed to win any of their last 15 World Cup qualifiers, losing 13 of those matches, including 9 first-half defeats in their last 12 games - a pattern that exposes their vulnerability early on.
Egypt have won 6 of their last 8 World Cup qualifiers, often starting strong, having led at half-time in 6 of those 8 matches, showing their habit of asserting dominance from the outset.
Djibouti have conceded heavily throughout qualifying, averaging over 3.5 goals in 9 of their last 14 matches, while scoring under 1.5 goals in all of their last 8 outings, reflecting their lack of cutting edge in the final third.
Egypt have kept five clean sheets in the current qualifying campaign and are yet to concede more than one goal in any match, underlining their defensive solidity and control.
This is a clear mismatch on paper, and the statistics, recent form, and quality gap between both sides support that view.
Egypt have the momentum, the tactical structure, and the attacking tools to dismantle a Djibouti side that has struggled at both ends of the pitch.
With just one point needed to secure World Cup qualification, the Pharaohs may take a cautious approach initially, but are still expected to dominate possession and chances.
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Djibouti’s main concern will be damage limitation.
Having conceded six goals to Egypt in their reverse fixture, and with no competitive goals scored against them historically, it is hard to see how they pose any real threat. Their lack of attacking depth and defensive lapses make them vulnerable to a clinical side like Egypt.
Expect Salah and Trezeguet to have plenty of chances, while Egypt should control proceedings from start to finish.
Even with changes to the starting XI or even maybe early substitutions, Egypt's depth is more than enough to see them through comfortably.
Prediction: Egypt win and over 2.5 goals
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