It All Started with a Storm and a Missed Ship

Egypt is currently enjoying its strongest World Cup performance in history during its fourth appearance. The "Pharaohs" secured their first World Cup victory with a 3-1 win over New Zealand, and after two draws against Belgium and Iran, the North African team reached the knockout stages for the first time. Today, they face Australia. However, history could have unfolded differently – this World Cup could have actually been the fifth for the team from the land of the pyramids.

To understand why, we need to go back almost a century to the first World Cup in Uruguay. The inaugural World Cup was more of an idea than a finished project. The initial plan for a 16-team tournament quickly collided with reality – a lack of interested participants. All FIFA members were eligible to participate, but interest outside South America was low. The decision to host in Uruguay was also a compromise, as all other candidates withdrew. For countries in the region, it was a natural choice, but for Europe, the journey to South America seemed like an expensive and risky adventure. Intercontinental flights did not yet exist, and the only way to travel was by sea. At the same time, the Great Depression had already begun to grip the world, and few were willing to invest in such ventures.

Two months before the tournament began, the situation was alarming for the organizers – not a single European team had applied to participate. FIFA President Jules Rimet himself had to intervene and persuade federations to make the journey to Uruguay. Ultimately, four European teams agreed. On June 20, the Romanians boarded the ship "Conte Verde" in Genoa, and the following morning, the French and Yugoslavs joined them from Villefranche-sur-Mer near Nice. The Belgians were picked up from Barcelona, and nine days later, the Brazilians boarded in Rio de Janeiro. Also traveling on the ship were Rimet himself, the trophy for the future world champion, and the referees who would officiate the final.

Egypt was also supposed to be on that ship. However, history had other plans. A strong storm in the Mediterranean Sea delayed the Egyptian delegation's journey from Alexandria to Marseille – the point where they were supposed to connect with the "Conte Verde." In an era where schedules were uncompromising, no one waited for the latecomers. The Egyptians arrived too late. The next ship meant a delay for the tournament, and a stay in Europe required funds and organization that the federation did not possess. Thus, the "Pharaohs" headed back home – disappointed and with the feeling that they had missed not just a trip, but a historic opportunity. For a generation of players, this moment became the missed chance of a lifetime.

It's important to emphasize that Egypt at the time was not perceived as an exotic addition. On the contrary – it was a respected and competitive team. At the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, the Egyptians defeated Hungary 3-0 before being stopped by future bronze medalist Sweden. Four years later in Amsterdam, they crushed Turkey 7-1 and then overcame Portugal 2-1, before losing to Argentina in the semi-finals.

The injustice was rectified four years later in Italy, when Egypt finally became the first African participant in a World Cup. On their way to the 1934 World Cup, the "Pharaohs" routed Palestine 7-1 and 4-1. The tournament itself was played entirely in a knockout format, and Egypt was eliminated in their very first match after a 2-4 loss to Hungary. The two goals for the Africans were scored by Abdelrahman Fawzi – a name that remains in history as the first African goalscorer at a World Cup.

And so, a missed ship in 1930 remains a small but significant crack in football history. For Egypt – a missed participation. For Africa – a delayed beginning.