Egypt’s U-16 girls’ handball team secured their first victory in the inaugural World Championship in Morocco on October 18, 2026, defeating Switzerland 29-28. Following an opening loss to Russia, the team now prepares for a decisive final group match against Argentina to determine their path in the tournament.
A Hard-Fought Victory Against Switzerland
In a tense encounter at the World Championship in Agadir, the Egyptian national team clinched a 29-28 win against Switzerland. The match remained deadlocked at 14-14 by the end of the first half, reflecting the competitive nature of the tournament’s inaugural edition. The victory was particularly notable as it came against a Swiss side currently ranked third in Europe.
The decisive moment occurred in the final seconds of the game. Goalkeeper Amineh Mustafa saved a 7-meter throw, preserving the one-goal lead and securing the team’s first victory of the competition. Right wing Jana Ali, who plays for Smouha, was named player of the match after converting seven of her eight attempts into goals, achieving an 88% success rate.
Tournament Standings and the Path to the Knockout Stage
Egypt began its campaign in Group D with a 29-41 loss to Russia. With the victory over Switzerland, Egypt now holds two points, trailing the Russian side—which leads the group with four points—but sitting ahead of Switzerland due to the head-to-head result. The team is scheduled to face Argentina on Tuesday, October 20, at 7:15 p.m. in a match that will be critical for securing a spot in the quarterfinals.
Egyptian Handball Federation Praises Squad Potential
Khaled Fathy, president of the Egyptian Handball Federation, praised the team’s performance, noting that defeating the third-ranked European team serves as a significant indicator of the squad’s potential. Fathy emphasized that the players’ ability to overcome early tournament nerves and perform under pressure demonstrates their growth. The delegation in Morocco is headed by Mohamed Gamal Helal, the federation’s treasurer, while head coach Qassem Ibrahim manages the technical staff, which includes Mohamed Daebes as general coach and Hisham Al-Sayyad as assistant coach.
Before the team departed for Morocco, the federation’s board of directors, led by Fathy and including national team manager Moamen Safa, met with the players to provide motivation. They encouraged the squad to emulate the success of the 2008-born generation, which previously earned fourth place globally and received official recognition from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Tournament Roster
- Goalkeepers: Maryam Ahmed, Amineh Mustafa, Nourhan Ashraf
- Wingers: Farida Bilal, Remas Eissawy, Jana Ali, Salma Ahmed
- Backs: Salma Ibrahim, Maryam Salah, Rodina Hamdoun, Sama Diaa, Farah Adly, Sedra Mohamed
- Playmakers: Haya Sayed, Rawya Ibrahim
- Pivots: Jana Hany, Maryam Ammar, Rowena Maged
The International Handball Federation acknowledged the result on its official platforms, highlighting the intensity of the matchup. The tournament, which runs through October 24, remains the first international experience for this generation of players as they aim to gain technical and physical experience against diverse global handball schools.
