Haitham Hassan, the Real Oviedo winger, made a lasting impression in his debut for the Egyptian national team during the recent friendly against Saudi Arabia. Despite playing only 45 minutes as a substitute, his technical stats were remarkable, boasting a 93% passing accuracy and winning most of his ground duels. His performance was so impressive that his Spanish club officially celebrated his international debut.

Hassan’s presence on the right wing offers head coach Hossam Hassan a fresh tactical opportunity for the 2026 World Cup. By utilizing Haitham's dribbling skills on the flank, the coaching staff could move Mohamed Salah to a central striker role. This "Liverpool-style" positioning for Salah would allow Egypt to maximize its scoring potential while keeping its captain at the heart of the action.

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This potential shift would also allow Omar Marmoush to return to his natural position on the left wing, while players like Trezeguet or Zizo could provide extra offensive support from the midfield. This new-look attacking trio, led by Salah in the center and supported by the flair of Hassan and Marmoush on the wings, could significantly increase Egypt’s goal-scoring efficiency against global opponents.

Overall, Haitham Hassan has proven himself to be a valuable asset for the Pharaohs, earning a 7.3 rating in his first appearance. His next major test will be the upcoming friendly against Spain at the end of March. This match will likely determine if the young talent is ready to become a permanent pillar in Egypt's starting lineup for the upcoming World Cup journey.