Egyptian Football Fans to Return to Stands For 2018 World Cup Qualifiers

Egyptian football fans are gearing up to return to the stands as the Egyptian Football Association board of directors has announced that they will allow 50,000 spectators to attend 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Egypt and Ghana’s national teams next month.

The match is set to take place on November 13the  at the Borg El-Arab stadium in Alexandria, with ticket prices set at 50 EGP, 200 EGP, 300 EGP. This news will likely excite many football fans as stadiums in Egypt have been closed off since the 2012 tragedy that left as many as 74 fans dead in violent clashes between Al-Ahly and El Masry club.

To avoid another stadium tragedy, the EFA announced that they will “take the necessary measures to guarantee an appropriate appearance.” The return of the stadium couldn’t come at a better time as Egypt managed to defeat Congo 2-1 last week, and is now set to face off against the team that embarrassingly defeated them on their last run for the 2014 World Cup. At the time, American Bob Bradley was Egypt’s coach and managed to put together an undefeated streak until being dealt a 6-1 loss against Ghana. The game instantly cost Bob Bradley his job, who was replaced by Argentinian coach Hector Cuper, who is "optimistic" of Egypt’s chance of qualifying for the World Cup – a feat last accomplished in 1990.